STV "I 334– . A 3 WEST INDIA (XOLONIES AND MAURITIUS. - º º (3.cº- C-2-ºxº º a cº- t - ; : RETURN to an Address of the Honourable The House of Commons, * dated 25 February 1859;-for, “COPIES or ExTRACTs of any CoRRESPONDENCE between the Colonial Office and the Governors of the WEST INDIAN ColoniEs and the MAURITIUs, with respect to the Condition of the LABo URING PopULATION of such Colonies, both Native and Immigrant, and the Supply of Labour:” “And, of all Colo NIAL ACTs or ORDINANCEs, regulating the Condition of IMPORTED LABOURERs, at present in force, and not already laid before Parliament.” (Mr. Chichester Fortescue.) PART II. St. LUCIA—GRENADA—TOBAGO.—ST. VINCENT. ST, KITTS.–MAURITIUS. Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed, 1 1 June 1859. 31–1–Sess. 2 sT. L. UC I A. DESPATCHES FROM GOVERNOR HINCES tº º * * - tº-º DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARIES OF STATE B A R B A D O S. DESPATCHES FROM GOVERNOR. H INCKS - - - - DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARIES OF STATE G R E N A D A. DESPATCHES FROM GoverNOR HINCKS - - - - DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARIES OF STATE T O B A G O. DESPATCHES FROM Gover NOR HINCKs *s sº tº gº DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARIES OF STATE - - ST. V. I N CENT DESPATCHES FROM GOVERNOR HINCKS * > º tº- ſº DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARIES OF STATE S T. K IT. T. S. DESPATCHES FROM G()VERNOR, HAMILTON – tºº DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE - M A U R IT I U S. DESPATCHES FROM GOVERNOR H [GGINSON AND GO- VERNOR STEVENSON - - - - - - - - - DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARIES OF STATE - - - APPENDIX * --> gº tº- sº * * * sº tººl sº tº tº-º P. 25 31 54 69 99 I 09 . 1 1 5 p. 116 p. . 256 T 40 . 148 1 53'. 1 56 297 ss S C H E D U L E. S T L U C I A. DESPATCHES FROM GOVERNOR HINCKS. No. IIl Series. º | NUMBER AND DATE. 23 September 1857 (No. 45.) 9 November 1857 (No. 57.) 10 July 1858 - (No. 37.) 24 July 1858 - (No. 42.) 8 September 1858 (No. 54.) 10 September 1858 (No. 57.) S U B J E C T. IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS. Enclosing Resolutions of the Legislative Council adopted relative to regulating Immigration - tº STATE OF THE LABOUR MARKET AND WAGES AND PRICES, and remarks generally on the state of the labour supply - COOLIE IMMIGRATION. Recommending that two ships should be despatched next season tº tº *g * g-e gº †- tº a EMIGRATION AGENCY IN INDIA. Reply to Circular of 4th June 1858; and recommends that Mr. Caird should continue his services for the smaller Colonies $º gº Gºe º * tº tººl IMMIGRANTS INDUSTRIAL RESIDENCE. States his opinion that it would be inexpedient to reduce the term of industrial residence below eight years - º & tº * . tº * - tº sº * OR DINANCE, No. 5 of 1858, to amend Ordinance, No. 7 of 1850, for the promotion of African Immigration, &c., enclosed - §º- tº DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE. The Right Honourable H. LABouch ERE, M. P.; The Right Honourable Lord STANLEY, M. P.; and The Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M.P. 4, 31 August 1857 - (No. 66.) 7 November 1857 (No. 80.) 25 February 1858 (No. 102.) 27 April 1858 - - (No. 8.) , 29 July 1858 - (No. 8.) 4 September 1858 (No. 13.) 4 September 1858 (No. 14.) 3 November 1858 (No. 28.) 12 January 1859 (No. 41.) COOLIE IMMIGRATION. Reporting the charter of the “Palmyra" PROPERTY OF DECEASED COOLIES, &c. Enclosing communi- cations from the India Board and Emigration Board, relative to the Remittance to India of the property of Coolies who may die in the West Indies, and of the earnings which they may wish to send to their friends in India gº sº * sº *se * tºº sº º * IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS. Approving of the Resolutions of the Legislative Council, which were enclosed in the Governor's Despatch, No. 45, 23 September 1857 tº sº * tºº tº gº EMIGRATION OF LIBERATED AFRICANS. Announcing the steps taken for facilitating the conveyance of Liberated Africans to the West Indies - tº gº º dº tºº ºne sº wº * IMMIGRATION INTO THE WEST INDIES. Encloses Extract of a Report from the Emigration Commissioners relative to the importation of Immigrants into the West Indies - sº {º * gº tº tº IMMIGRANTS’ INDUSTRIAL RESIDENCE. Calling for remarks on the proposed reduction of the term of industrial residence - wº EMIGRATION A GEN CY IN IN DIA. In reply to Governor's Des- patch, No. 42, of 24 July 1857, states that the Acting Emigration Agent at Calcutta has been instructed to continue his services in that capacity on behalf of St. Lucia g-> tº gº ſº gº º *º tº * COO LIE IMMIGRATION. Reporting steps taken for the despatch of two ships to St. Lucia, as soon as the consent of the Indian Govern- ment shall have been obtained - * º * - gº wº Gºs ORDINANCE, No. 5 of 1858. To amend Ordinance, No. 7 of 1850, for the promotion of African Immigration, &c. Conveying Her Majesty's confirmation of this Ordinance - º º tº tº-º - for the conveyance of Coolies - * = . tº 2 2I 2 2 28 2 8 30 30 0.13. B A. R. B A D O S. -, - ==s*.e. e-m---- *-**-* O DESPATCHES FROM GOVERNOR HINCKS. No. - in NUMBER AND DATE. S U B J E C T. - º T’AGE. Scrics. - | - - -- 1. 22 August 1857 º - | STATE OF WEST INDIA LABOUR. Conveying the opinions which (No. 42.) he had formed on the subject of the West India labour question, and on the system of Coolie Immigration tº tº &e - gº - 31 2. 9 November 1857 - - | EMIGRATION FROM WIND WARD ISLANDS TO BRITISH (General.) GUIANA. Points out objections to a clause in the British Guiana Immigration Ordinance, legalising contracts with labourers in any British West India Colonies - tº- º tºº tº 4- - - || 38 3. 9 November 1857 - - CONDITION OF LABOURING CLASSES. Forwards copy of a (No. 52). Letter to Governor from Mr. Hill, of London, covering copy of a peti- tion from non-resident proprietors to Colonial Legislature, on the subject of improving the condition of the labourers - º *- - 39 4. 10 July 1858 - * - || THE WEST INDIA LABOUR QUESTION. General remarks on (No. 3). the state of the labour market, and offers opinions on the different subjects affecting it - eºs - º- tºº gº - - º - || 41 5. 3 Sept. 1858 - - - CHINESE EMIGRATION. Reports the Ship “Mauritius,” with (No. 50.) Chinese, bound from Hong Kong to the Havana, having put into Barbados to coal and water, and of the necessary search having been made under the Chinese Passenger Act, 18 & 19 Vict, c. 104 - - || 50 G. 25 Sept. 1858, - - - TENURE OF LAND BY LABOURERS. Encloses an article from (No. 55.) the Barbados Liberal newspaper, and submits observations thereon - || 51 DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE. The Right Honourable H. LABouchERE, M. P.; The Right Honourable Lord STANLEY, M. P. ; and The Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M. P. 1. 22 October 1857 cºs - | STATE OF WEST INDIA LABOUR. Acknowledging Governor's (No. 86.) Despatch, No. 42, of 22 August 1857, stating his views on this subject - - - tº -> *- sº tº --> º º º 54 2. 26 December 1857 - - | CONDITION OF LABOURING CLASSES. Acknowledging (No. 96.) Governor’s Despatch, No. 52, of the 9th November, forwarding petition from non-resident proprietors on the subject of improving the condition of the labouring classes - tº iº {º tº - - || 54 3. 26 December 1857 - - | EMIGRATION FROM WIND WARD ISLANDS TO BRITISH (No. 97.) GUIANA. Acknowledges Governor’s Despatch (General), of the 9th November 1857; explains the principle of the law about to be introduced in British Guiana - {- * tºº tº- tº- t- - 55 4, 16 April 1858 - - - | STATE OF WEST INDIA LABOUR. Encloses a communication (No. 8.) from Governor Wodehouse, with a Report of the Emigration Com- missioners on this subject - º tº- tº ſº - &º - 55 5. 17 September 1858 - - THE WEST INDIA LABOUR QUESTION. Acknowledges (No. 18.) Governor's Despatch, No. 3, of 10 July 1857, and encloses Report of the Emigration Commissioners thereon - º º - -> - 66 6. 10 November 1858 - - TENURE OF LAND BY LABOURERS. Acknowledging Go- (No. 23.) vernor's Despatch, No. 55, of 25 September, enclosing an article from the Barbados Liberal newspaper on this subject tº *-> tº * | 68 G R E N A D A. DESPATCHES FROM GOVERNOR HINCKS. No. in Series. 10, ll. NUMBER AND DATE. *-*-* *** *-*. S U B J E C T. 24 August 1857 - ‘(No. 31.) 16 October 1857 (No. 38.) . 9 November 1857 (No. 41.) 27 May 1858 - (No. 24.) 14 June 1858 - (No. 30.) 14 June 1858 - (No. 32.) 10 July 1858 - (No. 34.) 27 July º sº No. 35.) 31 August 1858 - (No. 42.) 2 September 1858 (No. 46.) 19 November 1858. (No. 54.) | THE WEST INDIA LABOUR QUESTION, and the RATE OF COOLIE IMMIGRATION. Arrival of the “Maidstone,” with Immi- grants from Calcutta, reported tº- Gº dº ſº tºº dº sº COOLIE IMM IGRATION. Relative to meeting the expenses of Coolie Immigration during the forthcoming season - WAGES in G RENAU) A. Submits his views on such points as have special reference to Grenada, and encloses a correspondence with Lieutenant Governor Kortright sº * tº - º gº ës COOLIE IMMIGRATION. Arrival of the “Fulwood” from Cal- cutta, with 362 Immigrants, reported gº ºne tº º tºº MORTALITY i N THE COOLIE SHIP “ FULWOOD.” En- closes Despatch from Mr. President Checkley, with Reports from the Immigration Agent and the Surgeon Superintendent, relative to the condition, &c., of the Coolies per this ship tº , dº * * º º ACT, No. 280 of 1858, to promote the immigration of free labourers from Áſrica, enclosed - - º sº i. e. jºr dº tºº gº COO LIE IMMIGRATION. Relative to a proposed bonus to be given to Coolie Emigrants, and to the present rate of wages tº gº EMIGRATION AGENCY IN INDIA. Expresses desire of the Council that Mr. Caird should continue to act as Agent for the present - tº sº tº * * dº * - º tº º tº 9 g- dº REPORT ON THE IMMIGRANTS PER SHIP “ FULW OOD.” Encloses a preliminary Report on the state of these Coolies, by the Administrator of the Government - - - - - - - COOLIE IMMIGRATION. Relative to the arrangements made in the Colony for meeting the expenses of immigration during the approaching season - tº º gº tº §º - - Ǻ tº º MORTALITY AMONGST COOLIES. Enclosing Returns relative to the mortality amongst the Coolies on the several estates, &c. - tº e PAGE. 69 7 I 83 83 9 | 93 93 94 *-gº-º-º- ºr - - - a DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE. The Right Honourable H. LABOUCHERE, M. P. ; The Right Honourable Lord STANLEY, M. P.; and The Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart, M.P. 31 August 1857 - (No. 84.) 16 January 1858 (No. 95.) 25 February 1858 (No. 100.) PROPERTY OF DECEASED COOLIES. Encloses communi- cations from the India Board and Emigration Board, relative to the remittance to India of the property of Coolies who may die in the West Indies, and of the earnings which they may wish to send to their friends in India tºº * * * * *= wº - COQLIE IMMIGRATION. Enclosing Letter from Emigration Com- missioners, relative to arrangements for ineeting the expenses of immi- gration of the approaching season - wº gº $º- *=º º tºº EMIGRATION OF LIBERATED AFRICANS. Announcing the steps taken for facilitating the conveyance of Liberated Africans to the West Indies - gº &= gº es gº tº º * a 3 99 99 100 No. , , in NUMBER AND DATE. S U B J E C T. PAGE. Series. - GRENADA -- continued. 4. 27 March 1858 - * - | IMMIGRATION EXPENSES. Calling for a remittance º sº l()] (No. 2.) * * , & i - 5. 26 April 1858 - tºº - | IMMIGRATION EXPENSES. Calling for a remittance tº - || 101 (No. 6.) 6. 27 April 1858 -, - - | IMMIGRATION. Encloses Extract of a Letter from the Emigration (No. 8.) Commissioners - - - - - - - - - - || 102 7. 3 May 1858 sº {-º - || NUMBER OF EMIGRANT SHIPS despatched during the present (No. 11.) season. Enclosing Report of the Emigration Commissioners, stating the number of vessels which have already been despatched to the West Indies during the present year tº tº º gº º - wº - || 103 8. 8 May 1858 - tº - IMMIGRATION EXPENSES. Relative to sums required to meet (No. 12.) expenses - - - - - - - - - - - || 103 9. 11 June 1858 - tº º - || APPORTIONMENT OF THE EMIGRATION EXPENSES, * (No. 2.) SEASONS 1855-6 AND 1756-7. Enclosing Accounts, submitting the mode of apportionment between the different West India Colonies concerned, of Mr. Caird's expenditure for Coolie emigration during these seasons - º sº tº º s º &º tºº * = . - || 103 10. 15 July 1858 - - - MORTALITY AMONG THE COOLIES. Calling for a Report (No. 11.) every six months of the state of the Coolies, &c. sº * - :- - || 103 l l. 4 September 1858 - - | EMIGRATION AGENCY IN INDIA. In the event of the re- (No. 15.) Sumption of Coolie emigration Mr. Caird will be instructed to act as Agent at Calcutta - * dº ſº- tº gº * e gºe sº - || 105 | 2. 4 September 1858 - - COOLIE IMMIGRATION. Enclosing Report of the Emigration + (No. 16.) Commissioners, relative to the proposed bonus to be given to Coolie immigrants; and the rate of wages - tº º ge tº tº - || 105 13. 17 September 1858 - - MORTALITY ON BOARD COOLIE SHIPS. Encloses Letter (No. 19.) from the Emigration Commissioners, relative to the mortality on Board Coolie ships; and the doubts as to the future prospects of Emigration from Calcutta, unless the deaths can be reduced next season - ſº * º º gº º gº gº * º tº - | 107 I 4. 23 October 1858 e - COOLTE IMMIGRATION during the ensuing season; and remarks (No. 26.) upon arrangements for meeting the expenses - sº tº tº - 107 15 20 December 1858 - - REMUNERATION OF SURGEONS employed on board emigrant (No. 30.) ships. Encloses Letter from the Emigration Commissioners relative to an increased allowance - dº wº * *se tºº • • - 108 16. 28 January 1858 º - MORTALITY AMONG COOLIES. Acknowledges Governor's (No. 36.) Despatch, No. 54, of the 19th November 1857, forwarding Returns sº on the mortality - & gº * @ gº sº sº gº sº - || 108 T O B A G O. DESPATCHES FROM GOVERNOR HINCKS, º * * *-** * * * * 1. 26 May º 93) EyrgRATION OF LIBERATED AFRICANS. Encloses a tº gº ºf tº Correspondence with Lieutenant Governor Drysdale on the subject, and on the rate of wages to be paid, &c. Submits observations on the rate of wages paid in the other Colonies, and the causes which lead to the emigration of native labourers and the introduction of others - * | 109 2. 14 June 1858 - - | EMIGRATION OF LIBERATE I) AFRICANS. Encloses Reso. (No. 23.) lutions adopted by the Legislative Council on the subject of African Immigration - º tºº * * º gº & º tº gº - || 1 14 DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE. The Right Hon. H. LABoucherE, M. P. ; and The Right Hon. Sir E. B. LYTTON, Bart., M. P. No. - - in NUMBER AND DATE. S U B J E C T. PAGE. Series. - Tobago—continued. - - - - - 1. 25 February 1858 - | EMIGRATION OF LIBERATED AFRICANS. Announcing the (No. 69.) steps taken for facilitating the conveyance of Liberated Africans to the West Indies - - - - - - - - - - - || 115 2. 14 August 1858 - - | EMIGRATION OF LIBERATED AFRICANS. Acknowledging (No. 9.) Governor's Despatch, No. 23, of 14 June 1858, forwarding Resolutions of the Legislative Council on the subject of African Immigration º I 15 s T. V. I N C E N T. DESPATCHES FROM GOVERNOR HINCKS. 1. 9 November 1857 - - | IMMIGRATION ACTS, enclosed. No. 86. (No. 86.) No. 702. To alter the Law of Contracts, and for the encouragement of Immigration, and for the general regulation of Immigrants. No. 703. For providing funds for Immigration purposes. No. 704. To appropriate a portion of the General Revenue for Immi- gration purposes. No. 705. For raising a loan for Immigration purposes. With Remarks and Correspondence thereon - tº- º sº - || 1 || 6 2. 4 January 1858 sº - || PORTUGESE EMIGRATION. Enclosing Resolutions of the (No. 3.) Council on the subject of appointing an Agent to proceed to Madeira and the Cape de Verde Islands * wº es º tº * - 127 3. 7 May 1858 - tºº - | EMIGRATION OF LIBERATED, AFRICANS. Reporting the ~ (No. 22.) views entertained in the Island regarding the Immigration of Liberated Africans to the West Indies, and submits observations on the rates of wages and the causes of the migration from one Colony to another - || 12s 4. 14 June 1858 - tº e - | IMMIGRATION | FUNDS. Relative to applying to Parliament to (No. 31.) guarantee a loan for 20,000 l. for Immigration purposes - tº - 131 5. 14 June 1858 - es - RATES OF BOUNTY ON IMMIGRANTS. Enclosing Proclama- (No. 34.) tions, fixing the rates of bounty to be paid on the introduction of Immigrants - sº gºe sº * -º sº gº * * sº - 133 6. 27 July 1858 - sº - CHINESE IMMIGRATION. Encloses Despatch from the Lieutenant (No. 38.) Governor, expressing the wish of the Colonial Legislature to commence the system of Immigration from China - tº º tººk dº sº tº I 36 7. 15 November 1858 - - ACT, No. 718 of 1858. For the encouragement of Immigration, and (No. 58.) for the general regulation of Immigrants, &c., enclosed, with a Cor- respondence thereon tºº *E* sº •- sº gº gº sº - || 138 O. 13 a 4. [ viii The Right Honourable H. LABouch ERB, M. P.; The Right Honourable Lord STANLEY, M. P.; and fº DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE. The Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M. P. No. * in NUMBER AND DATE. S U B J E C T. PAGE. Series. f - ST. Vincent-continued. * 1. 25 February 1858 - EMIGRATION OF LIBERATED AFRICANS. Announcing the | (No. 128.) steps taken for facilitaing the conveyance of Liberated Africans to the r West Indies - s tºp dºe sº * ... • º tºº º - 140 2. 27 February 1858 - PORTUGUESE EMIGRATION. Acknowledges Governor's Des- (No. 1.) patch enclosing Resolutions of the Council on the subject of appointing - an Agent to proceed to Madeira and the Cape de Verde Islands. . Does not object to the arrangements - wº * > wº gº tº • I 40 3. 18 May 1858 - tºº EMIGRATION. Encloses Letter from Mr. Brown, the Emigration (No. 13). Agent, relative to the inconvenience experienced by him regarding the manner in which validity is given to contracts - tºº tº dº - 14 I 4. 27 May 1858 - - IMMIGRATION ACTS. Acknowledges receipt of the Acts, Nos. 702, (No. 14.) 703, 704, and 705. ACT, No. 702 of 1858. To alter the Law of Contracts with regard to Immigrants, and for the encouragement of Immigration, and for the general regulation of Immigration, to be amended in accordance with s the suggestions contained in a Report from the Emigration Commis- sioners, which is enclosed; as also a Correspondence with the India Board - •. tº ºp Ǻs tºº tºº tº gº sº tºp sº 142 5. i. 29 June 1858 - sº EMIGRATION OF LIBERATED AFRICANS. Acknowledges (No. 2.) Governor’s Despatch, No. 2, of 29 June 1858, and states that a copy has been forwarded to the Governor of Sierra Leone, pointing out the rate of wages which prevails in the Colony of St. Vincent - wº - | 1.46 6. 31 July 1858 - s | IMMIGRATION FUNDS. Stating that Her Majesty's Government (No. 6.) are unable to hold out a hope of rendering any assistance by means of - a guaranteed loan - e-º dº - - - - tº gº º - 147 7. 12 August 1858 - * RATES OF BOUNTY ON IMMIGRANTS. Approves of the (No. 11.) Proclamation issued, fixing the rates of Bounty - wº wº- vº - || || 47 8. º September 1858 - CHINESE IMMIGRATION. Unable to meet the wishes of the (No. 13.) i Colonial Legislature, as no scheme has been sanctioned by Her | Majesty's Government for the introduction of Chinese into the West Indies to be paid for from public funds - e- º cº- gº - 147 S T. K. I T T S. DESPATCHES FROM GOVERNOR HAMILTON. }. 11 April 1857 - tº ACT, No. 442 OF 1857. To remove doubts as to the rights of Liberated (No. 40.) Africans, &c., enclosed, with a Correspondence with the Lieutenant i Governor thereon - wº tºo * sº ſº sº gº tº - || || 48 2. 9 August 1858 - dº MADEIRAN ESE IMMIGRATION. Explains the course pursued in (No. 80.) St. Kitts to prevent imposition in the Contract of Immigrants in respect : of whom Bounty is paid - tº Ǻ º sº º gº dº - l 5 1 | - 9. 24 December 1858 - IMMIGRATION OF LIBERATED AFRICANS. Enclosing Reso- (No. 131.) • lution of Immigration Committee, requesting that a portion of the Captured Africans which may become disposable as Emigrants may be 152 sent to St. Kitts dºg *E* $º. * > gº tº: tºº wº * gº [ ix J DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE. No. in Series. ST. 1. NUMBER AND DATE. KITTs —continued. 22 July 1857 - (No. 111.) 18 May 1858 - (No. 18.) 5 October 1858 (No. 24.) 16 February 1859 (No. 63.) S U B J E C T. ACT No. 442 OF 1857. To remove doubts as to the Rights of Liberated Africans, &c. specially confirmed, and enclosing a Letter from the Board of Trade suggesting some Amendments - - - - gº MADEIRANESE IMMIGRATION. Calls attention to an omission in the Immigration Act, on the subject of the prevention of imposition in the Contract of Immigrants in respect of whom Bounty is paid tºº MADEIRANESE IMMIGRATION. With reference to the above Despatch, No. 18, of 18 May 1858, encloses Report of Emigration Commissioners on the subject, and requesting that the necessary Clause should be inserted in the next Immigration Law gº º * * gº IMMIGRATION OF LIBERATED AFRICANS. Stating that the number of Captured Africans disposable is so small, that there is no chance that any will be available for St. Kitts - º * * * PAGE. 153 154 154 M A U R IT I U.S. DESPATCHES FROM GOVERNOR HIGGINSON AND GOVERNOR STEVENSON. O. 12 January 1857 14 January 1857 (No. 3.) 28 January 1857 (No. 22.) 20 February 1857 (No. 37.) 3 July 1857 - (No. 119.) 2 August I 857 (No. 140.) 12 August 1857 (No. 152.) 9 September 1857 (No. 177.) 9 September 1857 (No. 179.) 13. QUARANTINE ARRANGEMENTS on Gabriel and Flat Islands respecting Immigrants from India - *-> cº ſº tº gº gº MORTALITY AMONG COOLIES. Furnishing explanations as to the treatment of the Coolies per ships “Hyderee” and “ Futteh Mombarruck ’’ es sº gº * gº tºº gº gº - I CHINESE IMMIGRATION. Transmitting Address from the Chamber of Agriculture in favour of Chinese Immigration, and also his reply thereto - tºº gº tºº gº * = , tº 5 * * * tºº COOLIE IMMIGRATION. Enclosing copy of a communication to the Government of India, and an OR DINANCE No. 3 OF 1857, for amending the Quarantine Laws, and draft of the proposed Quarantine Regulations - *Eº * =e tºº gº * * * * * * * * cº- COOLIE IMMIGRATION. Transmitting copy of a communication from the Government of India, announcing that the prohibition to Emigration had been withdrawn gº * * dºe tº-e gºg sº Eº IMMIGRANTS PER “JOKER,” Transmitting a Letter from Commodore Trotter, stating that the Immigrants by this ship had been Slaves up to the moment of their embarkation - tº º tº ſº- º ORDINANCE No. 22 OF 1857. To amend the Law relative to the engaging of newly arrived Immigrants, enclosed; with a correspond- ence with the Chamber of Agriculture on the subject - gº tº- sº ORDINANCE No. 23 OF 1857. To amend the Laws as to the introduction and engagement of Immigrants from territories not under the Government of the East India Company, enclosed tº tºº º OR DINANCE No. 26 OF 1857. For preventing the illegal intro- duction of Indian Immigrants into Mauritius, enclosed - *Eº tº b 150 173 176 18 | 183 187 No. in NUMBER AND DATE. S U B J E C T. PAGE. Series. - - - Mauritius—continued. - \ 10. 3 November 1857 - IMMIGRANTS PER “JOKER.” Explanatory of the circumstances (No. 19.) under which the “Joker” was authorised to bring Malagash Labourers . to this Colony - - sº as ~ *- º * > º - - 195 . 11. 23 December 1857 - IMMIGRANTS PER “JOKER.” Why embarked so lately as in (No. 40.) the month of May last - º º -- sº º -> - • 199 12. 13 January 1858 tº IMMIGRATION OF NATIVES FROM THE ISLANDS OF (No. 19.) THE PACIFIC into Bourbon as Labourers. Relative to - - | 200 13. 30 January 1858 * GOVERNOR'S VIEWS ON THE INTRODUCTION OF IM- (No. 22.) MIGRANTS, explained - tº º - - - - - - || 207 14. | 12 February 1858 - EMIGRATION EXPENSES. Stating that a Sum has been set apart (No. 37.) to defray the additional Expenses which the new Establishment will entail º - - $º dº -> 4-> tº * - e. - tº- wº 222 15. 25 March 1858 - * IMMIGRATION OF NATIVES FROM THE ISLANDS OF (No. 37.) THE PACIFIC into Bourbon. Further as to gº a- sº- - || 223 16. 24 April 1858 - tºº EMIGRATION AGENCY AT BOMBAY. Reporting the establish- (No. 96.) ment of an Emigration Agency at Bombay on a footing similar to that at Madras -) cº- tº º º º- tºº s - - - || 224 17. 8 May 1858 - º IMMIGRATION RETURNS FOR THE YEAR 1857 transmitted, (No. 113.) comprising: Statement of the number of Indian Labourers engaged in 1857. Statement of the number of Indian Labourers discharged in 1857. Statement of the rates of Wages for Engagement during 1857. Statement of Births, Deaths, and Marriages during 1857 - - 227 18. 12 May 1858 - - EMIGRATION SEASONS. Deprecating the proposed allotment of (No. 119.) Immigration Seasons to the Mauritius and the West Indies respec- -- tively, and enclosing Reports of the Immigration Committee, and of the Emigration Agent at Calcutta on the subject - - • - || 23 I 19. 4 August 1858 - gº INCREASED ACCOMMODATION AT IMMIGRATION | (No. 107.) DEPOT. Arrangements made for - - º dº º - - 237 20. 5 August 1858 - º EMPLOYMENT OF THE WIVES OF IMMIGRANTS, on the (No. 168.) repair of the Roads, reported, in consequence of the deficiency in the supply of Labour - - - - - - - - - - || 240 21. 24 September 1858 - GENERAL RETURN OF INDIAN IMMIGRANT'S for the (No. 205. Extract.) Quarter ending 31st March and 30th June 1858 * - , me º - || 242 22. 27 September 1858 - SURVEY OF RETURN COOLIE SPIIPS. Enclosing Letter from (No. 21.1.) the Protector of Immigrants relative to the Survey of Ships carrying - -- - Return Coolies - º &e - - sº º -- - - 243 23. 17 November 1858 - OR DINANCE No. 30 of 1858. For legalising Contracts of Service (No. 243.) made in India, transmitted - - - º º tº tº * 244 24. | 1 December 1858 - SURVEY OF RETURN COOLIE SHIPS. Further remarks rela- 254 * * * * 5 (No. 260.) tive to the Ship “Bengal Merchant” - -> ſº [ xi j DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE. The Right Honourable H. LABouch ERE, M. P. ; The Right Honourable Lord STANLEY, M. P.; and The Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M. P. *—- No. ^ in ... NUMBER AND DATE. Series. | -----> * *** - -------ºs- S U B J E C T. MAURITIUs--continued. 1. 8 April 1857 - - (No. 313.) . 18 April 1857 - - 2 (No. 318.) 18 April 1857 - * (No. 319.) 3 4. 21 April 1857 - -> - (No. 321.) 5. 6 May 1857 - - (No. 335.) 6. 19 May 1857 - (No. 349.) 7 19 May 1857 - •e (No. 350.) 8. 29 June 1857 - -> (No. 368.) 9. 7 August 1857 - (No. 3.) 10. 20 August 1857 - º (No. 16.) 1 l. 6 September 1857 - (No. 24.) 12. 17 October 1857 - (No. 53.) 13. 22 October 1857 * - (No. 58.) 14. 26 November 1857 - (No. 80.) O. 13. Relative to the introduction of Coolies, per French ship “St. Germain * STOPPAGE OF IMMIGRATION to Mauritius by the Indian Governments, Encloses correspondence with the Commissioners for the Affairs of India, and also with Mr. Guthrie and Mr. Antelme on the subject - - º mº " sº º - - sº * - MORTALITY AMONG COOLIES, per ships “Hyderee” and “Futteh Mombarruck,” acknowledging Governor's Despatch. No. 3, of the 14th April, explanatory of the causes which led to the great mortality - IMMIGRATION AND THE SUGAR DUTIES. Enclosing a communication received from Mr. Antelme with reference to the discri- minating duties on Sugars imported into the United Kingdom, and on various points connected with the Immigration of Labourers into Mauritius - - º º- s *- - - * ſº - e. CHINESE IMMIGRATION. Calling for a statement of the Gover- nor's own views, and those of the Council, on the subject of Chinese Emigration - - * º se - - - sº º º STOPPAGE OF IMMIGRATION. Enclosing letter from the Com- missioners for the Affairs of India, with one from the Court of East India Directors on this subject - tºº - - - gºe tº tº Relative to the introduction of Coolies, per French ship “St. Germain.” CHINESE IMMIGRATION. Stating that Lord Elgin's attention had been drawn to the question of the possibility of procuring the legaliza- tion of the Emigration from China of all Chinese subjects, whether male or female - º s º - - * * * º - } COOLIE IMMIGRATION. Enclosing a correspondence with Mr. Macpherson in reference to the present state of Coolie Immigration into Mauritius - e- º wº - - tº tº- use - : IMMIGRANTS, PER “JOKER.” Calling for an explanation rela- lative to the Immigration of Labourers by this ship - sº tºº -- IMMIGRATION. Acknowledging with satisfaction the Governor's Despatch No. 119, of 3 July last, reporting that the prohibition of Immigration from India to Mauritius had been withdrawn by the Indian Government - º º - º º se --> ORDINANCE, No. 22 of 1857. To amend the Law relative to the engaging of newly-arrived Immigrants. Conveying Her Majesty's confirmation of this Ordinance - tº- -> º tº- - - -- IMMIGRANTS, PER “JOKER.” Explanation relative to the the Immigrants per this ship - tº - -- gº tº gº º OR DINANCE, No. 23 of 1857. To amend the Laws as to the intro- duction and engagement of Immigrants from territories not under the Government of the East India Company. Conveying Her Ma- jesty’s confirmation of this Ordinance, and enclosing Report of the Emigration Commissioners on it - - - - - - - C 270. 278 278. 282 [ xii No. º in NUMBER AND DATE. S U B J E C T S. PAGE. Series MAURITrus—continued. - & * . . . . . . . 15. 19 J anuary 1858 ORDINANCE, No. 26 of 1857. For preventing the illegal introduc- (No. 105.) tion of Indian Immigrants. Conveying Her Majesty's confirmation of this Ordinance - ſº * * * * * * - - || 285 16. 27 January 1858 IMMIGRATION. Enclosing a further Correspondence with Mr. Mac. . . . . (No. 110.) pherson, on the subject of Immigration into Mauritius - tºº - 286. 17. || 4 June 1858 - EMIGRATION AGENCY IN INDIA. Remarking on the advisability | - (No. 74.) of Agencies of Mauritius and the West Indies being separated - - || 287 18. 26 July 1858 - GOVERNOR'S VIEWS ON THE INTRODUCTION OF IMMII- - ‘.(No. 47.) GRANTS. Acknowledges Governor's Despatch No. 22, of 30 Ja- nuary, and encloses correspondence with the Emigration Commis- sioners and the India Board - - = '• * wº - - 288 19. 17 August 1858 EMIGRATION SEASONS. Stating the wishes of the Immigration * , (No. 66.) Committee had been anticipated in respect of not restricting Emi- gration from India to Mauritius to the six months during which Emigration to the West Indies is not carried on - - - - - 292 tº 20. 26 October 1858 INCREASED ACCOMMODATION AT IMMIGRATION DE- (No. 95.) POT. Sanctioning the necessary expense to provide the accommoda- -- ~ • tion required - ge gº tº • • = tº º - - || 293 21. 30 December 1858 GENERAL RETURN OF INDIAN IMMIGRANTS. Enclosing & (No. 134.) a Report from the Emigration Commissioners upon the Returns as fur- nished by the Colony - Eº gº $º- gº ºn ºf ge - 293 22. 22 January 1859 SURVEY OF IMMIGRANT SHIPS. Enclosing a Report from the w (No. 151.) Emigration Commissioners on this subject, and requesting that a proper survey of all Immigrant ships should be made - - - - - 294 28. 26 February 1859 IMMIGRANTS PER “BENGAL MERCHANT.” Enclosing Emi- (No. 172.) tion Commissioners’ Report on this subject, and expressing concur- { ~& rence in the remarks contained therein - º gº tºº tºº - || 295 tº 24. 1 April 1859 - EMIGRATION AGENCY AT BOMBAY. Approving the plan for (No. 183.) placing the Agency at Bombay on the footing recommended - ſº 296 [ xiii 1 No. 3. No. 8. No. 9. No. 10. No. 11. No. 12. No. 13. No. 14. No. 15. ! A P P E N D I X. S T. L. U C I A. ORDINANCE, No. 2 of 1857. To amend the Ordinance, No. 3 of the 22 April 1854, providing for the Immigration of Coolies into this Colony - tº ſº tº as º - - - - - - ORDINANCE, No. 13 of 1857. To make provision for the general revenue of the Colony, for the deficiency arising in the “Education Fund,” in consequence of the repeal of certain clauses of the Ordinance, No. 7 of the 13th day of February 1851, intitled “An Ordinance to raise Funds for pro- moting the Education of the Inbabitants of this Island, and for facilitating their means of intercourse, by the construction and maintenance of Roads and Bridges” gº º gº tº * † : ‘Lºs tº_º ORDINANCE, No. 5 of 1858. To amend the Ordinance, No. 7 of the 2d day of May 1850, intitled “An Ordinance for promoting African Immigration into the Colony of St. Lucia, and the industry of the Immigrants” – & - tº i º º * * > « ºf º º ſº * tºº tºº. * > -. G R E N A D A. ACT, No. 560 of 1858. To promote the Immigration of free Labourers from Africa - tº *s {- ACT, No. 561 of 1858. To impose certain Duties upon the exportation from this Government of certain goods grown, produced, or manufactured in Grenada or its dependencies, to be applied for the pur- poses of Immigration, and for no other purpose - tº tº * - º wº dº gº dº ſº * * ACT, No, 564 of 1858. To improve the Laws regulating Immigration to Grenada, and to increase the salary of the Immigration Agent - - - *m tº tº e fº * * * º me T O B A G O. ACT, No. 481 of 1857. To remove doubts as to the rights of the Liberated Africans in Tobago - tº- S T. V. I N C E N T. ACT, No. 702 of 1857. To alter the Law of Contracts with regard to Immigrants, and for the encourage- ment of Immigration, and for the general regulation of Immigrants - - tº * º tº gº ACT, No. 703 of 1857. For laying an additional Tax on Produce to provide a fund for Immigration purposes tº gº ACT, No. 704 of 1857. To appropriate a portion of the general Revenue for Immigration purposes - ACT, No. 705 of 1857. To authorise the raising of Loans of Money for Immigration purposes, and to secure the repayment of such Loans - tº gº a tº ºg º &º tº gº gº º gº ACT, No. 718 of 1858. To repeal certain clauses of an Act intituled “An Act to alter the Law of Contracts with regard to Immigrants, and for the encouragement of Immigration, and to make other provision in lieu thereof, and further to amend the said Act” - º gº ſº tº tºº tºº ge S T. K IT. T. S. ACT, No. 442 (737) of 1857. To remove doubts as to the rights of Liberated Africans in the islands of Saint Christopher and Anguilla, and to amend the Laws relating to Aliens dº * * * * ACT, No. 442 (739) of 1857. To alter and amend an Act intituled “An Act to provide Medical Attendance for the Infant Children of the Labouring Population” - - - * = es gº ACT, No. 543 (137) of 1858. To authorise the Governor in Council from time to time to declare by Proclamation the ports or places from whence Immigrants may be obtained under the laws now in force in this Colony wº ſº * * tº ºs º º tº º tº a & º tº PAGE 297 299 299 300 301 303 304 305 3.18 319 320 322 324 326 327 [ xiv. J No. No. No. No. No. No. M A U R IT I U. S. ORDINANCE, No. 3 of 1857. To amend the Laws concerning Quarantine * * * * * ORDINANCE, No. 21 of 1857. For rendering compulsory the Education of Children in the Colony - ORDINANCE, No. 22 of 1857. To amend the law relative to the engaging of newly arrived Immigrants - gº tºº tº º $º tº º ( * •º * - sº $º º * . gº gº º ORDINANCE, No. 23 of 1857. To amend the law as to the introduction and engagement of Immi- grants from territories not under the Government of the East India Company - tº ºr a sº < * ORDINANCE, No. 26 of 1857. For preventing the illegal introduction of Indian Immigrants - - ORDINANCE, No. 27 of 1857. For more effectually securing the observance of the law concerning Quarantine - wº dº tº *Eº tº º sº tº a iº tº $º tºº iſ º sº gº ſº ORDINANCE, No. 28 of 1857. To repeal Ordinance No. 10 of 1856, and to apply certain sums out of the surplus revenue to the construction of Public Works, and to the service of Indian Immigration - ORDINANCE, No. 30 of 1857. To vest the Special Committee of Council appointed to inquire into and report upon a letter from Mr. Advocate Savy to the Governor General in India in Council, repre- senting that impartial justice is not administered to Indian Immigrants in this Colony, with the power to compel witnesses to give evidence on their oath or affirmation tºº º * tº º sº sº gº ORDINANCE, No. 7 of 1858. To modify Ordinance No. 5 of 1849, as to the tax payable on engage- ment of new Immigrants - eºs $º º tº * e- tº tº sº tº tº º gºe gº tº º tºº ORDINANCE, No. 30 of 1858. To legalise Contracts of Service made in India, and authorise Governinent to allot newly-arrived Immigrants - gº sº tº sº tº º m º º º PAGE. 327 333 335, 336, 340. 340 342 343 344 344 P A R T II. COPIES or EXTRACTs of any CoRRESPONDENCE between the Colonial Office and the Governors of the West Indian Colonies and the Mauritius, with respect to the Condition of the LABOURING PopULATION of such Colonies, both Native and Immigrant, and the Supply of Labour ; and, of all Colon IAL ACTS or ORDINANCEs, regulating the Condition of IMPORTED LABOURERs, at present in force. tºº S T. L. U C I A. ST. LUCIA. Despatches from the Governor. º — No. 1. — (No. 45.) No. 1. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable º, Hincks d H. Zabouchere, M. P. * to the Right Hon. H. Labouchere, . - M. P. Windward Islands, Barbados, 23 September 1857. 23 Sept. 1857. {) p 7 (Received, 19 October 1857.) Sir, (Answered, No. 80, 7 November 1857, page 25.) I Have the honour to transmit to you the copy of a Despatch from Mr. Breen, administering the Government of St. Lucia, enclosing an extract from the minutes of the proceedings of a meeting of the Legislative Council of that Colony, held l O Yo. 36. on the 8th instant, and I venture to hope that the resolutions adopted on that E §. 1837 occasion will be considered satisfactory. º I have, &c. (signed) F. Hincks. Enclosure in No. 1. Encl. in No. 1. (No. 86.) Sir, St. Lucia, 10 September 1857. YoUR Excellency’s Despatch of the 24th July, No. 123, Executive, covering copies of Des- patches from the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and of reports from the Emigration Commissioners on various points connected with coolie immigration, having been communicated to the Legislative Council at its meeting of the 8th instant, I S have the honour to forward to your Excellency an extract of the proceedings of the Board, **, • * & tº - te "glosur containing three resolutions which were adopted on that occasion. C. O. 13. - A 2. Your 2 * PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. LUCIA. cºmmiss=sº No. 2. Governor Hincks to the Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M.P. 9 Nov. 1857. * Wide Papers pre- sented Aug. 1857, page 396. closuº _*~ 2. Your Excellency will perceive that these resolutions embody the recommendations of the Right Honourable the Secretary of State, as communicated in his Despatch to the Emigration Commissioners, of the 25th May last, respecting the remuneration of surgeons of coolie ships, the gratuity to the ships' officers, and the bonus and advance to be made to the coolies on their embarkation. I have, &c. - t - (signed) H. H. Breen, His Excellency Francis. Hincks, Esq., Administering the Government. Governor in Chief. º - Sub-Enclosure in No. 1. ExTRACT from the Minutes of the Proceedings of a Meeting of the Legislative Council, . held on the 8th September 1857. Present, His Excellency Henry Hegart Breen, Esq., Administrator of the Government.— Honourables Louis Lacaze, Attorney General; R. G. McHugh, Her Majesty's Treasurer; Thomas Parker, Controller and Auditor of Accounts; Constant Bourgeois, John Pollock, James Macfarlane, Alphonse Cools, Charles de Brettes, and Raymond Drouilhet. THE Honourable Mr. De Brettes then moved the following resolutions:— “1. That surgeons of coolie ships shall be remunerated at the rate of ten shillings a head for the first voyage on all coolies landed alive; and if the conduct of the surgeon be com- pletely satisfactory, and he be recommended for such increase, that the payment shall be raised to eleven shillings for the next voyage, and on further recommendation and favour- able report to twelve shillings as a maximum for every subsequent voyage. “2. That a gratuity of one dollar a head on the emigrants embarked shall be divided among the ships’ officers, subject to a deduction of six dollars on each person, except infants under one year, dying on board or incapable of work when landed. “3. That the Emigration Agents in India shall be authorised to give, if necessary, a bonus to each adult coolie of five rupees, by way of free gift, and an advance not exceeding ten rupees to be repaid out of his wages.” - The motion was seconded by the Iſonourable Mr. Pollock, and carried unanimously. (signed) Henry H. Breen, Colonial Secretary. T * (No. 57.) — No. 2. # Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable . H. Labouchere, M.P. Windward Islands, Barbados, 9 November 1857. (Received, 3 December 1857.) Sir, (Answered, No. 8, 27 April 1858, page 26.) * ON the receipt of your Despatch of 12th June last (St. Lucia, No. 50),” I entered into correspondence with the Administrator of the Government of St. Lucia on the subject of the rate of wages current in that Colony, and I have now the honour to transmit to you copies of the Despatches which have been exchanged between us, which I shall acompany with such observations as will, I trust, put you in complete possession of my own views on this important question. 2. The policy of encouraging the emigration of Indians to the British West India Colonies owes its origin to an alleged deficiency of creole labour, and the inability of the planters to obtain the supply necessary for the cultivation of their estates. The rate of wages it was said, had consequently become so high that the sugar cane could not be cultivated at a profit. 3. I am not aware that Her Majesty's Government has avowedly adopted the policy of endeavouring to reduce the value of sugar to the consumer by increasing the production of that commodity, through the instrumentality of coolie labourers. - Such WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 3 Such a policy appear to me to be at direct variance with that of protecting existing proprietors from the injury caused by the withdrawal of the labourers from their estates. * 4. When the West Indian proprietors last brought their grievances before Parliament, it was alleged on their behalf, that they were unable to produce sugar by free labour to compete with that grown by slaves in Cuba; and it was made a subject of complaint, that they were exposed to the competition of foreign sugar in the home market. 5. All intelligent and well-informed planters would now admit that a grave mistake was committed, in ascribing to the cheapness of slave labour the supe- rior productiveness of Cuba. There can be no doubt whatever that free labour is infinitely cheaper than slave, and that Cuba owes its prosperity to the great productiveness of a rich virgin soil, on which the sugar cane can be ratooned for 50 years or upwards, with a very moderate application of labour. 6. In Barbados, the cane must be planted every year, on at least two-thirds of the estates, and on those where ratooning is practicable, it can only be followed for two, and at most three years. Barbados perhaps labours under greater dis- advantage in this respect than any of the West India Colonies, but the islands generally are much less favourably situated than British Guiana and Trinidad, the soils of which are probably as rich as that of Cuba. 7. It may be the policy of Her Majesty's Government, to endeavour to reduce the price of sugar, by encouraging the cultivation of these rich virgin soils; but it must, I think, be obvious, that the result in a commercial point of view will be precisely the same to the proprietors of the old estates as the increased produc- tiveness of Cuba by slave labour. I venture most respectfully to express my doubts as to the propriety or expediency of the Government encouraging the establishment of new estates to compete with the old proprietors. I think that coolie immigration should have been strictly limited to the avowed object of its promoters: the supplying with labourers the estates which had been wholly or partially deserted. 8. I cannot better describe the effect of the present system, than by quoting a few extracts from a speech recently delivered in the Legislative Council of Trinidad, on the subject of granting an aid to railroads, by the Attorney General of that Colony. “Mr. Burnley, in his speeches in 1847, had stated that the introduction of railways would have the effect of drawing the labouring population from the old settlements into new and fertile lands, and he feared the result of bringing virgin lands into competition with the old land of the Colony.” ” * * “Only the other day unofficial members had proposed and voted the means to pay the extraordinary expenditure of bringing in a much greater amount of immigration ; and although it was admitted on all hands, that the present supply of labour was insufficient for the demand of the Colony, yet it must be borne in mind, that the breadth of cultivation had been considerably increased since 1847, and that we were still bringing new lands into cultivation.” “ * * “But was it to be thought that the cultivation of this noble Colony was to be limited to the cultivation of 150 or 160 estates ? Had they not sent home to the Colonial Office the assertion, —no idle boast,--that with a sufficient supply of labour, this island was able to produce sufficient for the whole consumption of Great Britain 7" 9. I should be sorry indeed to object to increased cultivation in other Colonies, provided it be not stimulated by protective measures, and such I hold to be all systems of immigration, which are not carried on strictly at the expense of the parties requiring the labour. 10. If any considerable increase in the production of Sugar should be caused by the influx of still larger bodies of Indian labourers, and especially if these Colonies should be made receptacles for Indian convicts, I apprehend that great discontent will be felt by the old proprietors generally, but especially by those in Barbados. The planters in this island hitherto have met, and have overcome all the difficulties with which they have had to contend. Their science, economy, industry and skill, not the cheapness of their labour, have enabled them to com- pete successfully with all other producers, foreign or colonial; and I feel assured that if their properties should be depreciated in value, owing to the Government O. I 3. A 2 having ST. LUCIA. *ºg 4 PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. LUCIA. cºmme having systematically encouraged and stimulated the increased production of sugar, they will feel deeply aggrieved. 11. I am not aware of so direct an interference on the part of Government to force the production of any other article of commerce, and the policy is so much at variance with that generally avowed of late years, that it seems to me impossible, that when coolie immigration was first sanctioned, it could have been foreseen that its effect would be, not merely to supply labour to those estates where it was deficient, but to create such an increased demand for it, that if by any casualty it should be stopped for a time, the planters would suffer infinitely more than they have ever yet done. 12. Although the foregoing remarks are of a general character, and have been made with a view of drawing your attention to the effect which will be produced upon the value of old properties by stimulating the cultivation of rich virgin soil by compulsory labour, they have a direct bearing upon the question immedi- ately under consideration, viz., the rate of wages in Guiana and Trinidad, as compared with that in St. Lucia, and in other Colonies similarly situated. 13. The rate of wages in British Guiana ranges at 1s. 4d., 1 S. 8 d. and 2 s. per day for men, and 1 s. 4d. for women. Now, I do not think it at all pro- bable that such rates will be given permanently in any of the Colonies less favour- ably circumstanced as regards richness, and therefore increased productiveness of soil. 14. The rate of wages on which the coolie may rely in St. Lucia is 1 S. per day, with a house and at least half an acre of land, and medical attendance. These wages are actually higher than the current wages, and I cannot withhold the expression of my belief, which the correspondence accompanying this Despatch has strengthened, that in St. Lucia, immigration is resorted to, in order to keep down the wages of the labourers, and not from an actual deficiency of labour. 15. It is to be observed, that prior to 1848 the rate of wages in St. Lucia was as high as 1s. 4d. Owing to a serious, but as it now appears, temporary depre- ciation in the value of sugar, it was reduced to 10 d., but notwithstanding the late high prices for all West India staples, the wages of the labourers have not been raised, 16. My own belief is, that no rate of wages would be sufficient to retain labourers on the sugar estates so long as the planters maintain their present policy. I have no hesitation in affirming that the main cause of the abandonment of those estates has been the tenure on which alone the labourers could obtain land, and which was a tenancy at will, the labourer being liable to ejectment at a few days' notice. Sound policy would dictate that this tenure should be con- verted into one in perpetuity, and that the questions of rent and wages should be completely separated, as they have been in Barbados. It is true that the tenancy at will obtains here universally, but its effect has been most prejudicial to the civilisation of the labourers, and it has not produced the same result as in St. Lucia, because the labourers have not equal facilities for procuring land. But there can be no doubt that the most industrious labourers in Barbados have been stimulated to purchase small allotments for themselves owing to the nature of the tenure. 17. Another cause which operates against the planters in St. Lucia, is the practice of paying wages monthly instead of weekly. The usual apology made on behalf of the planters, is the insufficiency of their capital, but I venture to doubt whether persons who are unable to pay their present labourers weekly are in a position to demand that their numbers should be increased. It is said that frequent losses and disappointments have been experienced by the labourers owing to this very objectionable system. 18. I have stated in my correspondence with Mr. Breen the grounds on which I believe that there is already an adequate supply of labourers in St. Lucia for the cultivation of the existing estates. It would, in my opinion, be most inex- pedient to encourage the formation of new estates in that island. If it be the settled policy of Her Majesty's Government to stimulate the production of sugar by means of imported labour, I would respectfully suggest that the field for such - operations WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 5. operations shonld be limited. The system must be viewed by all as an experi- ST. LUCIA. ment, and it is considered by many, as well as by me, as a most dangerous one. tºmsºmº The resident proprictors in St. Lucia would, I imagine, be themselves unwilling to have new lands brought into cultivation, and I doubt the possibility of doing so with profit. 19. If the cultivation of the present estates is to be extended, increased capital will be required, and it is questionable whether it would be forthcoming. It is an admitted fact, that owing to the insolvency of the largest proprietor in the island some years ago, a considerable number of labourers were thrown out of employ- ment. 20. I have, in my Despatch of the 22d August, Barbados, No. 42,” explained at some length the grounds of my objection to coolie immigration. I have, in the correspondence accompanying this Despatch, compared the cost of cultivation in Barbados with that in St. Lucia, and I have shown that the planter in the latter Colony has many advantages, and that he does not in reality pay a high price for labour. I have no apprehension that sugar cultivation will be aban. doned on the St. Lucia estates so long as remunerative prices can be obtained. * Page 31- 21. If you should be of opinion that wages should be paid weekly, that a more liberal rate should be given, that the questions of rent and wages should be separated, and that encouragement should be given to those who may agree to grant perpetual leases of small allotments at fair rents, it strikes me that the present is a most favourable opportunity of promoting such reforms. The anxiety to obtain labourers is so great, owing to the high price of sugar, that the planters would probably be disposed to yield to reasonable terms. 22. I do not think that the same rate of wages can be expected in St. Lucia or Grenada as in Guiana and Trinidad, and there is no doubt much weight in the argument that the cost of living is greater in the latter Colonies. I am, however, bound to express my conviction that the planters can well afford to pay 1 s. 3d. per day, and that while the current wages are below that rate, they cannot reasonably expect to obtain foreign labourers. 23. Any other reforms might be accomplished by a strong expression of opinion from you, enforced by giving a preference in the allotment of labourers to those who should conform to the prescribed regulations. 24. I venture to hope that if I have failed to convince you of the correctness of my opinions on this question, I have supplied information which will enable you to judge as to the expediency of directing immigration to St. Lucia, the rate of wages offered being 1s. per day for male adults. I have, &c. . . (signed) I’. Hincks. . Enclosure 1, in No. 2. * Encl. 1, in No. 2- (No. 122.) 2 Sir, - Windward Islands, Barbados, 7 July 1857. I HAVE the honour to transmit to you the copy of a Despatch from the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, forwarding a report from the Emigration Commis- sioners, accompanying a letter from Mr. Caird, Emigration Agent at Calcutta, on the subject of the treatment of coolie immigrants. 3. I have, &c. His Honor H. H. Breen, Esq., - (signed) F. Hincks. St. Lucia. * Enclosure 2, in No. 2. Encl. 2, in No. 2. (No. 66.) Sir, . | St. Lucia, 3 August 1857, REFERRING to your Excellency's Despatch, No. 122, Executive, of the 7th July, covering copy of a Despatch from the Right Houourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, calling my attemion to the remarks of the Emigration Commissioners as to the rate of wages O. I 3. - A 3 obtainable 6. PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. LUCLA. obtainable in St. Lucia, and the price of necessaries in the case of agricultural labourers, ~ I have the honour to state that the current rate of wages varies according to the localities, the different periods of the year, the exigencies of the planters, and the description of work performed. It is never less than 10 d. a day in any part of the island, and it is often I s. 3 d., sometimes 1 s. 5 d. This is particularly the case during crop time, and for night- work performed in the manufactories. - 2. The price of necessaries is less subject to fluctuation. Upon this point the annexed Table may be relied on as correct; I should add, however, that in the circumstances of St. Lucia, owing to the extensive provision grounds attached to the different estates, and to the waste lands, whether belonging to the Crown or to vacant successions, which an in- dustrious labourer may easily convert into provision grounds; the question as to the price of necessaries, especially as regards the articles of food, presents but little difficulty. Another advantage in this respect is derived from the great abundance of fish. On this question I have received from the stipendiary magistrate of the 1st district a communication contain- ing some interesting particulars, extract of which is herein enclosed. 3. While on this subject, I may advert to the fact, that by this mail I have the satisfaction of transmitting to your Excellency copy of the Supplementary Immigration Ordinance, passed on the 14th July last, by which the objections to the former Ordinance have been removed. Coupling this circumstance with the gratifying intelligence conveyed in your Excellency’s Despatch, No. 126, of the 24th July, and with the great advantages held out by St. Lucia to industrious immigrants, I venture to express the hope that the promised Indian labourers will soon be sent to this island. That they are much needed and anxiously expected, your Excellency had an opportunity of ascertaining during your recent visit to this island. - - I have, &c. His Excellency Francis Hincks, Esq., (signed) H. H. Breen, Governor in Chief. Administering the Government. PRICES of NECESS ARIES. - s, d. s. d. Wheat flour, per pot - - - – 11 || Milk, per pint - - e- - – l ; Corn flour 27 -> - - – 7 || Coffee, per lb. - º º - 1 1 Cassava farine, per pot - --> - – 5 | Sugar 57 - º * - – 6 Fresh beef, per lb. gº º - – 8 || Salt, per quart - tºº - - - 4; Salt beef y 2. T sº º - – 11 || Tobacco, per lb. - º e-> - 1 5 Salt pork 32 T - - - – 11 || Rum, per bottle (French) - — — i 0. Fresh pork , - - - - – 8 Osnaburghs, per yard - " - — — 5 Mutton 32 ° - - - - 8 || Cotton - 57 º - - - 4% Salt fish 32 T -> - - – 3 | Linen - 25 tº- --> - – 10 Fresh fish , , - º ºns — — 4 | Checks - 27 º º - – 6 Lard - , - - tº - 1 4 | Prints - 2 y º *- — — 8 Butter - , , - º º - I IO | Shirts tºº - º sº - I 10 Rice, per pot - - - - 1 3 | Trousers - - - - - I 8 Olive oil, per bottle º - - 1 6 | Hats – gº - º º - 1 6 Candles, per lb. - - - - 1 - | Shoes, per pair - º º - 6 - Soap - , - - - - – 6 (Certified correct.) (signed) Henry H. Breen, Colonial Secretary. ExTRAct from a Letter from Mr. Stipendiary Magistrate Jennings, dated 29 July 1857. HAv ING given the information immediately called for, I trust your Excellency will not consider the following observations out of place, and which I forward, as it appears to be your Excellency’s desire to ascertain the means a coolie, when introduced into the Colony, would have at his disposal for benefiting himself. - The money wages of the labourers in St. Lucia must be considered as only a part payment for their work, for there is not an estate in this district whereon there are not large quantities of uncultivated land, which the labourers working on the estate are permitted to cultivate at pleasure; they are also permitted to keep stock; and many of them, by the means of their gardens, horses, cows, and pigs, more than double the amount of their money wages. A proof of the great ease with which a labourer in St. Lucia may not only live well, but amass considerable sums of money, is shown by the present condition of numbers of the African immigrants imported into the island in 1849–50. Many of these people are now proprietors o' from three to ten acres of fine rich soil, where they keep horses, cows, pigs, - " - C., WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 7 &c., in several instances to the number of 12 to 14 heads. Many of the immigrants, to my certain knowledge, were owners of a hórse, or one or two cows, before they have been a year relieved from their contracts. Fish is so abundant, and so easily caught, that a labourer must be more than lazy if he cannot, on almost any evening after he has finished his work, when employed in the field, and should he not go to his garden, contrive to catch enough for the use of himself and family. Crabs, of which the labourers make free use, are obtainable by any one who chooses to look for them. - * Game is also very easily obtained, and affords a source of income to many an industrious Illèll. * - * - In consequence of the foregoing facilities, the agricultural labourer spends very little for his food, except salt fish and salt pork (with the latter he seasons his pot of vegetables), his garden providing him with esculents, and his gun or rod with flesh, for which, however, he cares little, except on Sundays, when he generally indulges himself with a small portion of butcher's meat. * - - - (True extract.) (signed) H. H. Breen, Colonial Secretary, Enclosure 3, in No. 2. (No. 135.) - - - Windward Islands, Barbados, Sir, - 19 August 1857. Your Despatch of the 3d instant, No. 66, Executive, with the accompanying extract from a letter of Mr. Stipendiary Magistrate Jennings, has engaged my best attention. - 2. I am sorry, though I cannot say that I am surprised, to learn that the vicious system which has been the main cause of the diversion of creole labour from the sugar estates in all the Colonies, except Barbados, prevails in St. Lucia, and under which the labourers have been permitted to occupy, without rent, Crown lands, or those belonging to vacant suc- cessions, which ought to be protected by the Government or the estates of the planters. 3. Had the planters, at the period of emancipation, adopted the rule of charging rent for all lands occupied, and had the Government insisted on the payment of a heavy weekly or monthly tax from all those occupying Crown or other vacant lands, the negroes would have had to labour as they do in Barbados. 4. Again, had the proprietors, while charging a fair rent for the occupation of their land, unconnected altogether with the question of wages, encouraged the labourers to cultivate the sugar-cane, by affording them facilities for manufacturing their small crops, as they do in Barbados, taking only one-fourth of the produce, I am persuaded that with eve moderate wages there would have been in St. Lucia a superabundance of labourers. 5. My belief is, that the reason why the Barbados labourers refuse to emigrate is, that, even with low wages, they are better off than the labourers in the other Colonies, owing to the highly judicious treatment which they have received from the planters. 6. Whether it be possible to recover for the sugar estates the labour which has been diverted from them, owing to a most erroneous policy, is a question which I have no means of determining. I must say, however, that the impressions which I have received during my visit to St. Lucia, and which I am persuaded are correct, are, that in the principal sugar district, the Soufriere Quarter, the resident proprietors of unencumbered estates are in pros. perous circumstances, and have had no just cause of complaint, either on the score of want of labour, or on other grounds. 7. I was also led to think that St. Lucia had suffered much from the rashness and over- speculation of individuals, and that estates had been thrown out of cultivation, not from want of labour, but from want of capital to employ labour, owing to their having been mort- gaged to so great an extent that no further loans could be obtained on them. 8. I believe now that there is an ample supply of labour in St. Lucia, which ought to be made available; but, owing to the situation of the estates which are near the coast all round the island, the labourers on the abandoned estates are not likely to leave them to go upon . others without some inducement greater than has yet been offered, and I am by no means prepared to affirm that any inducement which it would be in the power of the planters to offer would be sufficient. - 9. I have not now to consider the expediency of introducing coolie labourers. Before I assumed the government of these Colonies, the Ordinance providing for immigration had been sanctioned by Her Majesty's Government, and my duty was simply to carry it out, and I have studiously refrained hitherto from expressing any opinions officially on the , subject, though it has been constantly under my consideration. O. 13. A 4 - 10. 'The 'ST, LUCIA. Encl. 3, in No. 2. 8 . PAPERS. RELATING TO THE ST. LUCIA. Encl. 4, in No. 2. 10. The question which has arisen is a practical one of great importance. Can the St. Lucia planters expect coolie labourers unless they are prepared to give the same wages as those which prevail in British Guiana 3 I am not clear, from your Despatch, as to the rate of wages which I should be authorised to inform the Secretary of State is current in St. Lucia. - 11. I was repeatedly informed, when there a few weeks ago, that it was 10 d. per day. The wages for nightwork, or in the crop time, are entirely beside the present question. What do the planters ordinarily pay their labourers, by the day or by the task? Has any tariff been agreed upon for taskwork, and, if so, has it been published ? You are aware that the system of taskwork prevails generally in the Colonies, and that the coolies will expect to work under it. 12. Are there in St. Lucia, as in Barbados, classes of labourers to whom different wages are given 7 I fear that without more precise explanation as to rates, where there is so wide a range as from 10 d. to 17 d., the Secretary of State would be rather embarrassed than otherwise by your Despatch. 13. You must recollect that if the coolies should be informed that wages are 1 s. 5d. a day they will expect to receive that amount and not 10 d. It would therefore, I think, be advisable for you to get the leading applicants for coolie labourers to state the rate of wages they are prepared to give, and as I am anxious to have some idea of the entire number required, I have prepared a form of return, which I hope you will be able to get filled up, and several copies of which I have the honour to transmit. I may observe, that on one * occasion the planters in Trinidad refused to receive coolies after they had been landed, and thus caused a good deal of embarrassment. 14. I transmit here with the copy of a Despatch which I have recently addressed to Lieutenant Governor Kortright on the labour question. You will understand this as a mere expression of my individual opinions on this very important question. They have not been communicated to the Secretary of State, because until now no practical question has arisen to call for their communication. - - - 15. I do not think that in St. Lucia, any more than in Grenada, sufficient inducements have been offered to the creole population to labour, while facilities of all kinds have been afforded to them to cultivate lands for themselves. 16. I shall be very glad indeed to receive from you any observations with reference to my views that may occur to you, and I trust that you will have no hesitation in conveying them with the most perfect freedom. The labour question in these Colonies has certainly not yet been satisfactorily solved, and opinions may be advantageously canvassed, and the facts on which they are based scrupulously examined. 17. While I rely with great confidence on the correctness of the opinions which I have formed, mainly because they are in accordance with well established economical principles, I invite the closest scrutiny of my theory, and the most rigid examination of all facts and fi gures. I have, &c. His Honor the Administrator, (signed) F. Hincks. St. Lucia. Enclosure 4, in No. 2. (No. 83.) Sir, St. Lucia, 3 September 1857. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s Despatch of the 19th August, No. 135, Executive, on the labour question, together with the copy of a Despatch addressed by your Excellency on the same important subject to Lieutenant Governor Kortright. 2. Your Excellency kindly invites me to canvass with freedom the opinions which you have expressed in those documents, and I shall avail myself of this perinission to offer such observations as may occur to me on this, of all questions, the most vital to the West Indies. 3. On the advantages and cheapness of free labour, as compared with slave labour, there can be but one opinion in so far as these Colonies are concerned. From my acquaintance with the different estates in this island, extending over a period of 28 years, and my intimate knowledge of the position and circumstances of their owners, derived from the Mortgage Office, which has been for nearly the same space of time under my direction, I can affirm that under the free-labour system many of the planters have not only paid off the debts contracted during slavery, but have become enriched. Where this is not the case the result is to be ascribed either to want of capital, want of labour, want of proper management, the drought which prevails in certain districts, absenteeism, or rash speculation. 4. Of all descriptions of free labour the one which is best suited to these Colonies is that of their native population. Where that ſails, the deficiency should, if practicable, be supplied by African immigration. The labourers of that class, imported some years ago into St. & Lucia > WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS, 9 Lucia, have proved a blessing alike to themselves, and to their employers. In many instances they have realised little fortunes; and where they have remained upon the estates they have been the means of keeping up the little cultivation that is carried on there. No wonder, then, that our planters of French origin should look with feelings of jealousy, and even of despair, upon the successful efforts made by their neighbours of Martinique to import Africans into that flourishing Colony. A * 5. That there is a great deficiency of creole labour in St. Lucia is a well-known fact. The only question is, how is that deficiency to be supplied ? The remedy suggested by your Excellency is to attract the creole labourers to the estates by offering them increased wages, say 1 s. 6 d. per day. In order to judge how far this scheme is applicable to the circumstances of St. Lucia, and how far it is likely to produce the desired result, we must examine more closely the actual state of things. No doubt, if the labourers, as in the case of a “strike” in our manufacturing districts at home, had suddenly withdrawn from the estates, and refused to work, the offer of an increase of wages might be resorted to with success; but such is not the case. The St. Lucia labourers have been retiring, one by onc, from the estates for the last 20 years; not in consequence of the low rate of wages, but rather because those wages, coupled with the advantages obtainable in other respects, enable them to save money, and purchase small portions of land, which they cultivate on their own account. 6. In order to bring about this state of affairs, three things are requisite, and they are found in the case of St. Lucia, namely, extensive tracts of land out of cultivation, owners disposed to sell, and labourers with money in hand, ready to purchase. When this system commenced, it is likely that the planters foresaw to what it would lead in the long-run ; but present interest made them overlook remote or contingent evils; a d, moreover, it would have required a combination of the whole body of planters to check that which each, sepa- rately, had no objection to encourage. º - 7. The purchase of small portions of land has now proceeded to an incalculable extent. This is shown in some measure by the return furnished by me to Mr. Drysdale in May 1856, and published with his report on the Blue Book for 1856; and it is further illustrated by the extraordinary number of barrels of sugar which some of the merchants of Castries have purchased this year from the small cultivators. These, too, it must be remembered, are altogether apart from that class of small proprietors who confine their operations to the raising of provisions, stock, &c. 8. Another fact which is, I think, demonstrated by these data is, that the St. Lucia labourer has no cause to complain of ill-usage from the planters. The Barbados planters are known to be a very humane and liberal body of men; but, in spite of our drawbacks and deficiencies in other respects, I have no hesitation in affirming that in no island in the West Indies have the planters shown themselves more liberal to their labourers than in St. Lucia. This may be inferred from the circumstance, above stated, of so many of the labourers saving money from their wages to purchase small estates; and it is illustrated in another sense by the small number of complaints brought by the labourers against their employers. Had Barbados possessed the same abundance of land as St. Lucia, no judi- cious treatment of her labourers would have prevented them from purchasing their one or two acres, where there were acres to purchase. The Barbadians may thank the density of their population for the prosperity of their Colony. To the sparse and scattered character of hers, St. Lucia will be ever indebted for the low rank which she holds among these islands. - 9. Such being the state of things in this Colony, the offer of an increase of wages would not be productive of any corresponding benefit to the planter; to be attended even with a show of advantage, it should come from the planters as a body, and not from any of them in particular. If made by a certain number only, it might have the effect of benefiting them; but, instead of bringing back the negroes who have retired from the estates, it would draw them from one estate to the other, to the prejudice of those who did not concur. . . 10. The negroes, if I may judge from the sample with which I am best acquainted (those of St. Lucia), are fond of their ease and their independence. Within the last twenty years some thousands of them have got married in this island. They begin to have a notion of bringing up a family, and all these ideas find their deve- lopment and indulgence much more adequately upon their “own estate’’ than in the position of dependents upon the estate of another. & To me this feeling seems very natural; it is the inevitable consequence of their emanci- pation from slavery; and whatever becomes of the labour question, I confess I should regret to see any system devised which should have a tendency to stifle that feeling in the negro's breast. Let us have freedom in industry, as well as in commerce, and matters will find their own level. . - º 11. The offer of an increase of wages to the labourers of St. Lucia would, therefore, in my opinion, be productive of no good result. That the present high price of sugar calls for Sºme increase in the ordinary rate of wages, I freely admit, and I should hope that no planter would be so blind to his interest as to withhold it from his labourers. But that the offer of 18; 6d., or even 2s. a day, would have the effect of bringing back to the estates negroes who are in the enjoyment of their little properties, is a proposition from which I must respectfully dissent. It might have that effect upon some of those who are in the precarious occupation of Crown or vacant lands, and upon a few idlers in the towns and villages, but it would leave the supply of labour nearly the same as before. 12. The occupiers of Crown lands, and of those belonging to vacant successions in St. O. 13. B Lucia, ST. LUCIA. tº ºsmº 1 O PAPERS’ RELATING TO THE º ST. LUCI A • magistrates, will show the rate of wages obtainable upon the principal estates: Lucia, are not so numerous as might at first be supposed; very few negroes have their houses upon those lands, and when they occupy them at all it, is merely to make their gardens upon them. No one is more alive to his interest than the negro.; he is perfectly aware of the uncertainty of his tenure in relation to all such lands; and, whenever his means admit of it, he is never slow in exchanging that uncertainty for a less exceptionable title elsewhere. Since my assumption of the government several applications have been made to me by parties desirous of being authorised to occupy, or to continue in the Occupa- tion of, Crown lands; but I have withheld my sanction in every instance. - ... 13. No supply of labour at all adequate to the wants of the Colony being obtainable from its internal resources, the remedy consists in immigration in some shape or other, and as that of the coolies seems the only kind available for the present, our best exertions should be employed to render it beneficial to all concerned. For that purpose I agree with your Excellency that it is desirable the St. Lucia planters should be prepared to give the coolies a higher rate of wages than that at present established. 14. In my Despatch of the 3d August, No. 66, I stated that the wages in St. Lucia ranged from 10d. to 1s. 5d. per day, according to the localities, the period of the year, and the work performed. To make this more explicit, I may add that an industrious labourer can earn 1 S. per day, one working day with another, throughout the year. The annexed table, compiled from returns with which I have been furnished by the stipendiary 15. The St. Lucia planters seem averse to taskwork, and only resort to it when they are unable to procure regular labour by the day; it prevails, however, to a considerable extent upon many estates. There is no tariff for such work, each job being regulated by mutual agreement between the parties as circumstances arise. 16. There are not in St. Lucia, as in Barbados, classes of labourers to whom different wages are given; the only division here is that of men, women, and boys, whose wages vary accordingly. Upon this point the table already referred to will furnish some further information. * - 17. Every labourer regularly employed upon an estate is provided with a house and pro- vision grounds free of charge; if not regularly employed, he gives one day’s work in the week in the name of rent for his house. 18. In St. Lucia the emancipated negro is not unwilling to work for hire; but if he has money, and finds land to purchase, he prefers to purchase the land; and who can blame “him? The white man would do the same in similar circumstances. 19. Before the receipt of the forms transmitted with your Excellency’s Despatch of the 19th August, No. 135, Executive, I had prepared a somewhat similar form, copy of which I sent to Dr. Bennett, with a request that he would furnish me with such replies as his experience as a planter might enable him to make. - I am now in possession of Dr. Bennett's answer, copy of which, and of the queries put to him by me, I have the honour to transmit herewith. 20. From Dr. Bennett's statement, your Excellency will perceive the difficulty of filling up those forms of return in anything like a satisfactory shape. That difficulty I have already experienced to a considerable extent; and I resolved at last upon despatching a gentleman to visit the principal estates in the different districts, and collect the particulars as far as practicable from the planters themselves. The person I have selected for this duty is Mr. Dreuil, who, from his experience as a planter of 18 years' standing, and his constant communication with the estates as chief revenue officer, seems well qualified for the task. He has not yet returned to Castries, and I am therefore precluded from forwarding the returns by the present steamer. 21. The annexed return will show the names of the applicants for coolie labourers, the names of the estates, and the number of labourers required in each case. I have written to the different applicants to ascertain the rate of wages they are prepared to give, and shall report the result by the earliest opportunity. I have, &c. (signed) Henry H. Breen, His Excellency, Francis Hincks, Esq., Administering the Government. Governor-in-Chief. A STATEMENT of the current Rate of Wages paid to Agricultural Labourers in the different Districts of St. Lucia, as furnished by the Stipendiary Magistrates. FIRST DISTRICT. º Field Work. Manufactory. Union - - - º - - - 10 d. to 1s. 1 S. 3d. to 1s. 5d. Choc - -> -> gº º º - 9% d. - 1 S. Roseau - -> º ſº gº - 10 d. to 1s. 1 s. 3d. to 1 s. 5d. Pearl – - - tºº gº tº - - ditto - 1s. 3d. Peru - 4- º - - tº- - - ditto - 1 s. 3d. Mont d’Or - tº- tºº º º - - ditto - 1 S. 3d. Loucis - - - tºº gº & - - ditto - 1 S. 3d. tº º - - ditto - 1 S. 3d. Incommode WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 1 | - SECOND DISTRICT, - - - ST. LUC A. Cap' - tº tº gº - - - 10d. - - 1s. Anse Canot - {- tºº - - - 10 d. - - 1s. Bois d’Orange - - - - - - 10d., to 1s. 1s. 8d. Reduit - ~. - gº tº º iº - - ditto - 1 S. to 1s 2d. Bonne Terre - - wº $º • = <- ditto - is. 2d. Beausejour - - - - - - - ditto - 1s, to 3s. Marquis eme . * tºº tº sº tºº - - ditto - 1 s. 3d. Grande Anse tº * - * - gº - 10 d. - - 1 S. Riche Fonds eº * tºº º - 10d.- - 1 S. La Caye - - - - tº - 10 d. - - 1 S. Fond d’Or - tºgº dº º º - 10 d. - - 1s. 3 d. Ressource - - - - - - 10d. - - 1s. THIRD DISTRICT. In the field :—Male labourers, per day, I s. In the manufacture:–Male labourers, per day, 1s. 3 d. In the field :—Female labourers, per day, 10 d. In the manufacture :—Female labourers, per day, 1s. 1d. In the field :—Children of both sexes, and above ten years, 8 d. 25 5 y Children under ten years, employed in carrying manure in the cane fields, or as stock-keepers, 6d. v FourTH DISTRICT. Out of Crop. To an able-bodied male labourer, per day, 1s. A male labourer of ordinary strength, per day, 10 d. Boys between 12 and 16 years of age, according to their capacities, 4d, to 8 d. An able female labourer, per day, 10 d. * * One of inferior strength, but able to perform a moderate day's work, 8 d. Girls, according to their physical capabilities, from 4d, to 6 d. f During Crop. Male labourers, per day, from 1 S. to 1s. 5d. Female labourers, per day, from 10 d. to 1s. 2d. * Boys and girls, per day, from 6 d. to 8 d. (Certified correct.) (signed) Henry H. Breen, Colonial Secretary. STATISTICAL Information required for His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief. 1. The cost of labour on an estate, averaging 100 hogsheads sugar. Other expenses classified. . - Attorney, manager, and overseer's expenses. . Cost of conveyance to shipping port. Lumber, staves, stock, taxes. - Number of gallons of rum, molasses, other offal; their produce. . Ordinary price of rum, exclusive of duty. Ditto of molasses. -- Average net weight of hogsheads of sugar. 10. The difference in truss. 11. Average and net weight in England. 12. Average freight per cwt. 13. English charges. 14. Cost of labour in time of slavery, on an estate averaging 100 hogsheads. 15. Number of slaves on such an estate. º 16. Average price of slaves. 17. The cost of maintaining them. e 18. Any other particulars that may occur to you as illustrative of those different points. * (signed) Henry H. Breen. l 2 PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. LUCIA. * My dear Sir, Castries, 31 August 1857. IN reply to your Excellency's note of the 22d instant, I am sorry to say that I cannot venture to give information as to the average cost of production on sugar estates generally in this colony. I can only speak with anything like certainty as regards my own experience on one or two properties; were I or any other man to do otherwise, you would inevitably be misled, and, like one of your predecessors, Mr. Darling, arrive at very “lame and • - 2 - impotent conclusions.” - - 2. My answer to your first six queries is, that one estate in the immediate neighbourhood of Soufriere, where alone in this Colony is there a hope of continuous labour with water power, with all its works, plant, and plantations in good order, and with ample live stock, can be made to average 100 hogsheads of sugar, with from 30 to 35 puncheons of molasses, at an annual expense of about 1,000l. ; one-half of this sum (500 l.) would be required for labour on the estate; the other half would suffice to cover manager's and overseer's salaries, the necessary supplies of stores and lumber, the purchase of one or two mules, and as many oxen, to keep up the live stock to a working average. The 1,000 l. in question do not refer to interest on capital, nor to the extraordinary casualties to which sugar estates are sometimes liable, such as fire, cattle, epidemics, earthquake, hurricane, and inundation; during my ten years’ experience of Soufriere property, I have, save hurricane, suffered from all these calamities. About six years ago my bagasse houses were accidentally burnt; last year I lost 14 negro houses in the same way, and had to incur an extra expense of 150 l. in rebuilding the latter. 3. In reply to your seventh query, I beg to say that 1s. 9d per proof gallon was the average price of rum last year in St. Lucia, and that the price during 1857 has been about 2 s. 2 d. per gallon. 4. To query No. 8, I reply, that seven-pence (7d.) sterling was the selling price of molasses last year, and that 1s. to 1s. 2d. has been the usual amount paid for the article this year. , 5. To queries 9, 10, and 11, I beg to say that the truss of our hogsheads, in the majority of instances, is 38 inches, and that such hogsheads net in England from 14 cwt. to 16 cwt. The difference in the net proceeds arises from the difference in the qualities of the sugars from different districts. The sugars of the Soufriere parish are generally of a lighter and finer description than are the sugars of other parishes. - 6. To queries, 12 and 13, I reply, that average freight for some years past has been 3s. per . cwt. ; the English charges, including duty, now average ahout 22s. per cwt. The London charges are, I think, a little in excess of those of Liverpool. 7. To queries 14, 15, and 16, I cannot give any reliable information, as my arrival in St. Lucia (lates from 1835 only, and it was not until complete emancipation that I had much experience of sugar cultivation. - 8. In conclusion, and in reply to your last memorandum, I beg to say that the circumstances. attending and governing the cultivation of sugar estates in this colony are very varied and perplexing; such, in fact, is the diversity of soil and climate in this Colony, small as it is, such is the diversity in the topographical characteristics of every estate, such the diversity of their manufacturing powers, and into such a diversity of hands have their managements fallen, that to attempt to average or draw general conclusions from individual reports of estates, however correct these individual reports may be, would be sure to lead to error. The capabilities and futures of St. Lucia are not to be foretold from its present condition. I verily believe that nowhere is the old proverb that, “God sends meat, and the devil sends cooks,” so well illustrated as in St. Lucia. Nearly all the best estates are either in bad hands, or are badly situated as regards labour; by “bad hands,” I mean, are in the hands of people who are either bankrupt in capital or credit, or nearly so, or who, possessing both capital and credit, possess not the necessary pluck and enterprise to turn the resources of their properties to better account than they now do. The prevalence of these two classes of people, and the sure, but steady decrease of the available labour on all the larger sugar estates of the Colony, are its great evils now-a-days; and it is my firm opinion that unless a continuance of present prices, coupled with a large introduction of new labourers, take place, those great stimuli of social progress, credit and capital, will gradually diminish and be extinguished, and no civilised person of enterprise, education, or capital will find it worth his while to remain in, or to attempt to turn the resources of the Colony to good account. From the year 1835 up to 1857 I have witnessed a sad, but steady decline in the respectability and means of the upper classes; and unless the future offer a better reward to intelligence and worth than has done this long period, the whole standard of morality and social order will infallibly and gradually sink to a lower and a lower level. * " I have, &c. His Excellency H. H. Breen, Esq., (signed) Charles Bennett. Administrator of the Government. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUs. 13 LIST of Applications for Coolie Immigrants. - Number - Number Name of Applicant. | Name of Estate. * Name of Applicant. Name of Estate. * --- wanted. | - wanted. Hon. J. Pollock - || Bois d’Orange - 15 John Goodman - | Pointe Sable - 30 Ditto - - - || Bonne Terre - I 0 Ditto - - | Retraite - - 20 Ditto - - - | Reduit - º 10 Charles Bonnet - || Beausejour - 20 Ditto - - - || Beausejour * 10 J. Godineau - - || Tourny - - | 20 Lucianna King - || Belle Plaine - 30 S. M. º - - º º 20 Devaux Desrivieres | Morne Combaril 10 F ë. is: tº gº pºrº. re 1. . R. W. Lloyd - - | River Dorée and so | F. ºrnier - - | Pointe - º 20 - Degatiere L. Glandon - || Marigot - - 10 e-- "c - I º - Chas. G. Delaubenquel Beausejour - 10 i. d; .." §. Galet - 25 Glace Ainé - - || Fond Doux gº 4 jº i. man - | M. is º - 30 F. Carteau - - | Two Friends and 25 O Il Il U: T8-L1, • * arquis - - 20 Esperance P. Clement - - Grand Anse - | 15 e p - . C. de Brettes - || Cap gº tº- I 5 Drouilhet * - Jalousie - - - 15 Ditto tº- - || Bon Esperance - | 15 Aglaé Tharel - | Diamond - gº' 12 A. Constable - | Richefonds - 15 i -- - Certified correct, (signed) Henry H. Breen, Colonial Secretary. - Enclosure 5, in No. 2. (No. 143.) - & Windward Islands, Barbadoes, Sir, -- 9 September 1857. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 3d instant, No. 83, Executive, together with its several enclosures, and which is in reply to mine of the 19th ultimo, in which I communicated to you the opinions which I had formed on the labour question of the West Indies. - - 2. I observe, with much satisfaction, that your opinion, formed after an experience such as very few persons have had the benefit of, is in accordance with my own on what I con- sider the point of essential importance, viz., that free labour is infinitely cheaper than slave. 3, I entirely concur with you as to the causes of failure, when such has occurred, with this single reservation, that I have never yet been able to trace a single case in which an estate. has been thrown out of cultivation, or the proprietor seriously injured from want of labour. In point of fact, the greatest complaints of distress have been made at periods when, owing to the low price of sugar, the cultivation was said to be unprofitable, and when, of course, there was little inducement to the capitalist to employ labour. 4. I concur generally in your remarks regarding the small creole proprietors. You seem to have misunderstood me on one important point. I never meant to express an opinion that it would be desirable to prevent a labourer from investing his earnings in land. I sub- scribe unreservedly to all that you have expressed on that subject. I only wish that the planters would, for their own sakes, encourage such valuable members of society to cultivate the sugar cane by manufacturing for them on more liberal terms. 5. I had reference to a class of persons generally known as squatters, and supposed to occupy lands to which they have no claim, and for which they pay no rent. I meant to express an opinion which I believe is strictly correct, that the planters have failed to hold out sufficient inducements to retain their labourers. I believe that they would have acted wisely had they encouraged the creoles to remain cm their estates on any terms, and that they might have succeeded in doing so to a very considerable extent. w - 6. I confess that you have not succeeded in convincing me of the liberality of the planters of St. Lucia. I cannot believe that anything would prevent an extensive emigration from Barbadoes, where there is unquestionably a considerable surplus of labour, and where land is very dear, to the adjoining Colonies, where labour is said to be scarce and land cheap, if proper inducements were held out to the labourers. 7. It is generally admitted that Barbadoes could spare a considerable number of labourers, enough probably to supply the demands of the planters in the other islands of this Govern- ment. It is likewise well known that emigration has been tried, and that the Barbadian labourers are dissatisfied with their treatment in other Colonies. 8. With regard to St. Lucia, it appears from your statement, that the rate of wages is quite as low as at Barbadoes, while the planters “seem averse to taskwork, and only resort to it when they are unable to procure regular labour by the day.” I find that the vicious system which has been almost entirely abandoned in Barbadoes, of mixing up the questions of rent and labour, prevails in St. Lucia. 9. It must be quite obvious that labourers will not be attracted to St. Lucia from Barba- does so long as the advantages are manifestly on the side of the Colony where the labour is superabundant. You express the universal opinion held in these Colonies, when you affirm O. 13. C 2 that ST. LUCIA. * ** Encl. 5, in No. 2. 14. - PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. LUCIA. ** that the labour of the native population is the most suitable for them, and that Africa would be the quarter from which a deficiency could be most advantageously supplied. - 10. Unfortunately there is no disposition ºn the part of Africans to emigrate to the West Indies, and hence the demand for coolies. I admit freely that I have the strongest repug- mance to this immigration. I believe that it would be infinitely better that less sugar should be made in the West Indian Colonies than that labour should be supplied by such RY168 I)S. 11. But I am not satisfied that any case can be made out to justify such an exceptional policy. I believe that the tendency of this immigration is to prevent the planters from taking those measures which would, in all probability, insure them an adequate supply of creole labour. - . 12. I have shown clearly that the St. Lucia planters have not held out any adequate inducements to the creole labourers in this island to emigrate, and that while property is, perhaps, six times as valuable in Barbadoes as in St. Lucia, the estate labourer is better off in the former, Colony. - 13. It is not therefore to be wondered at, that the labourer in St. Lucia takes the first opportunity to purchase land for himself, and that his place is not supplied by others. 14. You have expressed no opinion, as to whether proper encouragement has been given to the labourers to cultivate the sugar cane for themselves. I am aware that the small proprietors are doing so to a great extent. It is obviously the surest mode of attracting labourers. I am thoroughly convinced that in no other Colony has that encouragement been given to the same extent as in Barbadoes, and the impression which I formed in St. Lucia was, that the planters discouraged the cultivation of the cane by their oppressive charges for the manufacture. * , + * 15. I have read Dr. Bennett’s letter with great attention. I cannot admit, either that there would be any difficulty in filling up the form of return which I sent, or that the result would be unsatisfactory. My object was to compare the cost of cultivation in St. Lucia with that in Barbadoes. I adopted a form agreed upon by two agricultural societies, the members of which are experienced planters, and I have found no difficulty here in getting the most detailed information from every manager to whom I have applied. I have got returns from estates in various parts of the island, and having soils of a different character. - 16. As to the conclusion to be drawn from these returns I would observe, that what I want to ascertain is simply this: Is the cultivation of the came more expensive in St. Lucia than in Barbadoes; and if so, what is the cause for its being so 2 In order to satisfy my mind on this point, I do not require returns from more than a very few estates in different localities. Dr. Bennett has given his experience of one in the Soufrière Quarter. The produce averages 100 hogsheads, and the expense of cultivation is 1,000 l., one half of which is said to be for labour. The net weight of the hogsheads in England is estimated at from 14 to 16 cwt. The Barbadoes average was 15 cwt. There is no material difference in the cost of production or in the propºrtion of labour. It would have been more satis- factory had the statement given the quantity of land in came cultivation, and also the proportion, if any, of ratoons. Dr. Bennett does not account for any rum. A 17. It is of course impossible to arrive at any satisfactory conclusion as to the cost of cultivation without knowing the extent of came land, but I see nothing in this statement to lead me to doubt its being a fair estimate. -- 18. Dr. Bennett seems to fear, that in drawing conclusions from such statements as his own, a person may be misled. Now the cost of labour appears to be tolerably uniform throughout the island, and about half the expense of cultivation is under this head. I am unaware that there is any other branch of expense that should be materially higher in one part of the island than another, Inferiority in soil, remoteness from market, liability to drought, would of course affect the value of the estate. Such questicns may be important to the purchaser of a particular estate, but they have little bearing on the subject of my Inquiry. 19. It appears from Dr. Bennett's statement, that sugar can be produced at about the same rate in St. Lucia as in Barbadoes : viz., at 10 l. per hogshead, gross, or deducting the offal crop, at about 8 l., or probably 1 1s. per cwt. Now when the last complaints were made to Parliament of the distress in the West India Colonies, the returns from six estates in St. Lucia showed that the net proceeds had been from 16s. to 17s. 3 d. per cwt. 20. It is true there was a wide difference in the cost of production, which was in some cases more than double what it was in others. In one single instance it was as low as 10 s., and in two cases it was above 20s. I may observe, however, that the estates on which the cost of production was the lowest were conducted on the métairie system, and can therefore hardly be considered a fair estimate. r 21. I am fully convinced that sugar can be produced, on an average of years, in St. Lucia at about 10 s. per cwt., and that any excess over that rate must be owing, to extravagant or bad management, or to some casualty. * 22. Dr. Bennett is of opinion that nearly all the best estates are either in bad hands or badly situated as regards abour; and he explains that he means by bad hands, persons bankrupt in capital or credit, or who, possessing both, are deficient in enterprise. He is of opinion that there has been, from 1835 to 1857, a steady decline in the respectability and means of the upper classes; whereas I find that your opinion, based, upon your knowledge of the transactions at the registrar's office, is that many planters have paid off old debº y a. We WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS, 15 have become enriched; and I am myself aware that the proportion of resident proprietors in St. Lucia is large as compared with other Colonies. - - 23. I must now approach the practical question, which is the rate of wages which the planters of St. Lucia are prepared to offer to immigrants. You state in paragraph 11 of your Despatch, that the offer of an increase of wages to the labourers “would be productive of no good result;” but in paragraph 13 you express an opinion that the planters should be prepared to give the coolies a higher rate of wages than that at present established. 24. "I he point to be ascertained is, whether the St. Lucia planters are prepared to offer the Demerara rates for labour, which certainly cannot be stated at less than 1 s. 6d. per day for the usual tasks. I understand from your Despatch that you have applied to the planters demanding labour for information on this head. 25. For my own part, I have no doubt that wages in St. Lucia ought to be increased to 1 s. 6 d., a fair rent being charged per acre for land, and for a house when supplied; and if this increase were accompanied by more liberal treatment of the labourers, I have little doubt that the demand for labour would be fully net. * * I have, &c. - His Honor (signed) F'. I ſincks. the Administrator of St. Lucia. * Enclosure 6, in No. 2. - (No. 92.) - Sir, * St. Lucia, 19 September 1857. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s Despatch of the 9th instant, No. 143, in reply to mine of the 3d instant, on the subject of the labour question in the West Indies. - 2. I am much gratified to find that the views which I had ventured to express on this question have generally met with your Excellency's concurrence, and I shall now offer some further remarks which have been suggested to me by the perusal of your Excellency’s Despatch. --- - 3. No comparison can, in my opinion, be instituted, upon anything like fair grounds, between two Colonies whose circumstances differ so materially as Barbadoes and St. Lucia. The fact that the Barbadoes estates can command a superabundance of labour, while those of St. Lucia are nearly abandoned, may be traced to causes altogether unconnected with the treatment of the labourers. The Barbadian finds no unoccupied tracts of land to purchase or to squat upon, and if he is dissatisfied he has no alternative, but to emigrate. The resolu- tion to do so, however, is no sooner formed than it is combated by his well known attach- ment to the place of his birth, and hence the facility of retaining him upon the estates. All these circumstances are reversed in the case of the St. Lucia labourer, and mo inducement at all compatible with the profitable cultivation of the estates is sufficient to secure his labour if he can avoid it. - - 4. In spite of the attachment of the Barbadian to his native country, and the other motives which are supposed to retain him upon the estates, his unwillingness to emigrate may be overcome ; and I quite agree with your Excellency that we have here a supply of labour which, if properly managed, might have been turned to good account by the other Colonies, and by none mote than by St. Lucia. It is well known that great numbers of Barbadians have emigrated to Trinidad, Demerara, and St. Kitt's. A few also have occa- sionally been introduced into St. Lucia, and I may instance, as a sign of the times, that Mr. John Goodman, jun., has just imported 21 of them for the Pointe Sable estate, in the quarter of Vieux Fort. 5. The great difficulty as regards Barbadian immigrants, is that the planter who goes to the expense and trouble of importing them is the one who derives least advantage from their services. The scarcity of labour gives rise to competition, and an unscrupulous neighbour often contrives to attract the new comers by the offer of higher wages. In many instances this sort of rivalry has been attended with the worst results to both parties, and hence the little encouragement given by our planters to this species of immigration. Otherwise the labourers that have been introduced from that quarter have proved a valuable acquisition to some of the estates, nor does it appear that they are dissatisfied with the treatment they have received. - 6. I have no more partiality for coolie immigration than your Excellency, and I am per- suaded it will prove in the end both expensive and troublesome ; but in the absence of native labourers, of African labourers, and of Barbadian labourers, except with the risks just adverted to, our planters seem to rely upon coolie immigration as their only resource, and as measures have been adopted for carrying out this scheme, I think it should have a fair trial. So long as the price of sugar is kept up, as at present, it will be difficult to convince the planters that any means which will have the effect of increasing the production of that great staple can be injurious to the Colony. 7. I am not prepared to say that the St. Lucia planters have given much encouragement to the labourers to cultivate the sugar-cane. Planting in halves, however, prevails upon several estates, and the Richefonds, in the quarter of Dennery, is cultivated entirely upon that principle. . Where the cultivation in halves is on the planter's land, the latter finds all the stock and the carts to carry the canes when cut by the labourer, pays all the expense of O. 13. C 3 manufacturing ST. LUCIA. tºmºsºme Encl. 6, in No. 2. 16 & PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. LUCIA. *ºr Encl. 7, in No. 2. manufacturing them, and furnishes the hogsheads, and the means of transport to the shipping port. If the labourers would pay the expenses of manufacture, the St. Lucia planters in general would be glad to grind their canes for a third of the produce. - 8. In my former Despatch I stated, in one paragraph, that “the offer of an increase of wages could be productive of no good result,” and in another that “the planters should be prepared to give the coolies a higher rate of wages than that at present established.” The distinction here is obvious enough ; in the former case, I am speaking of the creole labourers, and I assert, what I know to be the case, that an increase of wages, so far as, they are concerned, would be productive of no good result, of no result at all commensurate with your Excellency’s expectations of inducing them to return to the estates. In the latter case, I am speaking of the coolie labourers, and an increase of wages which would have no effect in attracting the creoles might be a sufficient inducement to the coolies. - - 9. Through the zealous exertions of Mr. Chief Revenue Officer Dreuil, I am now enabled to return to your Excellency five of the forms transmitted with your Despatch of 19th August, No. 135, containing much valuable statistical information regarding sugar cultivation in this Colony. Mr. Dreuil was engaged during three weeks in collecting these particulars on the different estates, and I trust they will prove satisfactory to your Excellency. 10. To the circular which I addressed to the applicants for coolie labourers, in order to ascertain the rate of wages they are prepared to give them, I have received several replies, from which I have drawn up the annexed statement. - Your Excellency will see that, with the exception of Mr. De Brettes, who seems to prefer job work, the planters are ready to give the coolies one shilling per day; and, if we take into account the advantages which they will enjoy on the score of house, garden, medical attendance, and the low price of necessaries as compared with Demerara and Trinidad, I think we may affirm, without exaggeration, that this condition of the cooles in St. Lucia will be little, if at all, inferior to that in which they are placed in these Colonies, I have, &c. (signed) H. H. Breen, His Excellency Francis Hincks, Esq., Administrator of the Government. Governor-in-Chief. - .* STATEMENT showing the Rate of Wages offered by Applicants for Coolie Labourers in St. Lucia. * Name of Estate. Name of Owner. Rate of Wages, &c. Beausejour, Vieuxfort tº - | Samuel Weeks tº - || 1 s. per day; 1 s. 3 d. to 1s. 5d. in - e mill or boiling-house. 13eausejour, Soufriere i- - | Ch. de Laubengue - - Is. per day to the males; 10 d. to **. females. * Morne, Combaril, ditto - - || H. Devaux Desrivieres - || 1 s, per day to both males and females. Marquis, Dauphiu - tº - John Grant - - - || 1 s. per day to males, 10 d. to females; I s. 3 d. in mill or boiling-house. Pointe Sable, Vieuxfort - - || John Goodman, jun. - || 1s. per day to males, 10 d. to females; I s. 4d. in mill or boiling-house. Belle Plaine, Soufriere - - Mrs. Luciana King - - || 1s. to 1 s. 3 d. per day. Cap, Gros Ilet tº * - |-Charles de Brettes - - || 10 d. per day; 1 S. to 1 s. 2 d. per day for taskwork. * Two Friends, Anse Laraye - | F. Carteau - º. - I S. per day to males, and 10 d. to females. - N.B.--In every instance the labourers are to be provided with house, garden, and medical attendance. Enclosure 7, in N O. 2. (No. 149.) Sir, Windward Islands, Barbadoes, 25 September 1857. You R Despatch of the 19th instant (No. 92, Executive), containing further observations on the labour question, as it affects St. Lucia, has engaged my consideration; I shall, for the present, confine my remarks in reply to the practical point to which my attention has been directed by the Secretary of State, which is the rate of wages that the coolie immigrant labourers should be entitled to receive. It will, I trust, be sufficiently obvious to the applicants for labour in St. Lucia, that there must be one uniform rate, and that it should be fully understood by the immigrants what they have to expect. It appears that you have received propositions from eight planters, and that of these, seven name 1 s. per day as the & f wages WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 17 wages per man. Only one proposes to give the same wages to females as to males, while three take no notice whatever of females; the others state 10d. per day as the rate for females. Three of the applicants offer a higher rate of wages for labourers employed in the mill or boiling-house; oné naming 1 s. 3 d., and another 1s. 4d., another 1 s. 3 d. to 1s. 5d. per day. - - º ~ * * * It must be conceded that, according to custom, the labourer in the mill or boiling-house is entitled to higher wages than when working in the field. . Judging from the proposals accompanying your Despatch, I am of opinion that the wages might be fixed at 11 d, per day for females, is for males, 1 s. 4d. when employed in the mill or boiling-house, and that no coolie should be allowed to enter into contract for less than those rates. These are the wages proposed by Mr. Goodman, a planter of considerable influence, and who has been the most precise of all in his propositions except Mr. Grant, and there is no material difference between the two. It would be desirable that you should ascertain whether the applicans for labour are willing to accept immigrants on these terms. It ought also to be understood what quantity of land the labourers are entitled to, as the term garden is very indefinite. It probably should be expressed, not less than half an acre of land... I shall be glad to be able to report to the Secretary of State, as early as possible, that this arrange- ment, which I hope will be considered satisfactory, has been carried into effect. I have, &c. His Honor the Administrator, (signed) F. Hincks. St. Lucia. - Enclosure 8, in No. 2. (No. 160.) Sir * * Windward Islands, Barbados, 9 October 1857. In my Despatch of the 25th September (No. 149, Executive) I deemed it expedient to confine my remarks to the propositions made by certain proprietors in St. Lucia, with regard to the wages to be given to coolie immigrants. - 2. The planters generally have, doubtless, been made aware of the objection which has been raised in India to the emigration of coolies to Colonies giving a lower rate of wages than that which prevails in British Guiana, and they must themselves be the sole judges of the price which it is their interest to offer under the circumstances. 3. I took the opportunity, when making inquiries on this subject, to endeavour to satisfy my own mind as to the extent of the withdrawal of labour from the sugar estates in St. Lucia since the period of emancipation, and also as to the present cost of production in that Colony, compared with what it was in the time of slavery, and with what it now is in Barbados. 4. It is satisfactory to me to find, in the returns which you have transmitted to me, much valuable information, although I cannot hope that we shall arrive at the same conclusion from the facts before us. 5. In paragraph 9 of my Despatch to Lieutenant-Governor Kortright, of the 14th August (No. 117, Executive), a copy of which is in your possession, I stated the cost of producing 100 lbs. of sugar, in Barbados, to be $3 +%, or 16 s. 6 d. Sterling, without deducting the value of the offal crop; but l observed that this was the maximum cost, and that my own opinion, formed after careful inquiry was, that at least 20 per cent. might be deducted therefrom, which would reduce it to 13 s. 3 d. per 100 lbs. 6. I have exami ed the returns obtained by Mr. Dreuil from eight estates in St. Lucia, and which were transmitted in your Despatch of the 19th ultimo (No. 92), and I have found the average cost per 100 lbs. to be 14 s, 9 d. I must, however, observe that this average has been brought up owing to the heavy cost of production on two estates, belonging to an absentee proprietor, and which appear to be badly located and expensively managed. Excluding those estates, the average cost of production on the other six is 13 s. 8 d. per 100 lbs. 7. I have compared Mr. Dreuil’s return with one prepared by your predecessor, Mr. Drysdale, to accompany his report on the Blue Book for 1855, and which gives the cost of production on 12 estates, the average being 12s. 6d. per cwt., or rather above 11 s. per 100 lbs.; and the highest of the 12, with one exception, heing under the lowest rote stated by me as the cost of production in Barbados. º 8. The items of which the cost of production is made up, have been given for two out of the 12 estates returned by Mr. Drysdale, and do not materially differ ſrom those furnished by Mr. Dreuil. The average cost of labour on the eight estates, embraced in the returns of the latter, is 6 s. 3 d. per 100 lbs., or, excluding the two adverted to in paragraph 6, à s. 10 d. per 100 lbs., whereas, according to the estimate of the Agricultural Societies of Barbados, the cost of labour in this colony is 7 s. 4d. per 100 lbs. In Mr. Drysdale’s return no allowance is made for the rum and molasses; and, according to Mr. Dreuil’s statement, the product of those articles is much below the estimate of the Barbados O. 1 3. ,” C 4 planters, ..ST. LUCIA. *m-. , Encl. 8, in No. 2. 18 PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST: LUCIA, planters, owing, not to low prices, but to deficient quantities. The price of molasses in St. *- Lucia, according to Mr. Dreuil's return, is 8 d. per gallon, or 20 per cent. less than the Barbados estimate, but the price of rum, which is the more important article, is the same, viz. 1 s. 8 d. per gallon. It is considered here, that there should be 40 gallons of rum and 20 of molasses to the hogshead of sugar, averaging about 1,700 lbs. 9. 1 am unable to concur in the opinion which you have expressed in paragraph 3 of your Despatch of the 19th ultimo, No. 92, that no comparison can be instituted upon anything like fair grounds, between Barbados and St. Lucia. It is perfectly true that there is a superabundant population in the one, and an alleged deficiency in the other, but labour is only one element in the cost of producing sugar, and, moreover, owing to causes to which I shall not here advert, it is actually not dearer in St. Lucia than in Bar- bados, or, to express myself more correctly, there is not more paid for labour per 100 lbs. of sugar, in the former than in the latter Colony. - 10. The question to be considered, however, is not the relative proportion of labourers in Barbados and St. Lucia, but whether the latter Colony possesses a sufficient supply of labour for the cultivation of the sugar estates at present occupied. It is not without some hesitation that I venture to dispute the correctness of an assertion universally made by the planting interest, and very generally credited, viz. that there is a deficiency of labour in St. ſlucia, but I can arrive at no other conclusion from the facts presented to me, than that instead of there being a deficiency, the supply is abundant. 11. I am of opinion that the price of labour, like that of commodities, is regulated ac- cording to the demand and supply. If, owing to scarcity, the price should become so high that the capitalist could not employ labourers with profit, he would cease to do so, and, unless other profitable employment could be found, the labourers would be compelled to give way. On the other hand, if the capitalists could afford to increase wages, a deficiency of labourers ought, most assuredly, to lead to an advance in the price of labour. 12. I have shown that according to the returns of the St. Lucia planters themselves, the cost of producing sugar in that Colony is less than it is in Barbados, irrespective of the highly important item of interest on invested capital, which is at least 10 s. per 100 lbs. in the latter Colony, while it cannot be more than 2s. per 100 lbs. in St. Lucia. The St. Lucia planters might therefore double their present rate of wages, and yet be able to carry on cul- tivation wiih as much advantage as those in Barbados. * 13. I confess that I can account for the low rate of wages in St. Lucia, in no other way than by attributing it either to superabundance of labour, or to a general determination on the part of the employers to keep it down. I am aware that a strict surveillance is exercised by the planters over the proceedings of individual members of the body, which in some Colonies has had the effect of deterring men of experience and skill from carrying out economical reforms in the system. 14. Your remark in paragraph 5, of Despatch No. 92, “An unscrupulous neighbour often contrives to attract the new comer by the offer of higher wages,” is in accordance with the doctrine that men are not to be governed in their offers for labour by what they can afford to pay, but by an established rate supported by combination. 15. If liberal wages were generally given, the superabundant labour of Barbados would, I have little doubt, be offered in St. Lucia, without the necessity of the planters defraying the expenses of the emigrants. But I think that there is too much reason to fear that immigration has been resorted to rather to keep down the price of labour, than because it is required for the cultivation of the estates. 16. Though I am of opinion that there can be no better test of a sufficient supply of labour than the price which it commands, and that, so long as that remains as low in St. Lucia as in Barbados, where labour is universally admitted to be superabundant, it cannot be fairly argued that there is a deficiency in the former Colony, yet I have endeavoured to satisfy my mind on the point by other inquiries. 17. As Mr. Dreuil was unable to procure much information that I desired, and as con- sequently I have no sufficient data in his returns to enable me to judge to what extent cane land has been thrown out of cultivation in St. Lucia since emancipation, I must rely mainly on other sources of information. The three estates from which he obtained full returns appear to have had 273 acres in cane during slavery, and 224 acres at the present tl!") e. 18. I have ascertained from a table published in your own work on St. Lucia, that the average export of sugar during the nine years ending in 1834 was equal to 4,728 hogsheads of 1,700 lbs. each, while the largest export in any one year was 6,610 hogsheads. There certainly has been a falling off in the export, but not to such an extent as to indicate any serious disturbance of the labour market, especially when it is borne in mind how much the operations on several considerable estates have been crippled of late, and that grievous com- plaints have been made by the labourers in some quarters of a want of capital to pay their wages. - sº - 19. Mr. Drysdale returns the number of acres of land in canes, in 1855, at 3,253, and I I feel persuaded that 4,500 acres is a full estimate for the estates at present occupied in St. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 19 St. Lucia; indeed, that breadth of land, if skilfully cultivated, would yield a crop much larger than the Colony has ever exported. I presume that in returning the number of acres cultivated in canes Mr. Drysdale has reference to what was actually under crop. In Bar- bados the cane land is usually half under crop, and half in preparation, except in those quarters where a system of ratooning can be carried out. 20. To prevent misunderstanding, then, I mean that 4,500 acres may be considered as the average quantity of land which was under crop in St. Lucia in former times, and if pro- perly cultivated the produce from such land should be from 10,000,000 to 12,000,000 lbs. of sugar, or from 6,000 to 7,000 hogsheads, averaging 1,700 lbs. each. I am of opinion that it would be unadvisable to attempt the formation of new sugar estates in St. Lucia, and I do not imagine that the planters themselves would desire to increase the competition for labour. Some of the present estates are so unfavourably situated with regard to distance from convenient shipping ports, that they can never be very profitably managed. An export of 7,000 hogsheads from eighty estates would be as high an average as that of Barbados, and to obtain such a result it would be necessary to increase considerably the capital at present employed in sugar cultivation in St. Lucia. It remains for me to consider what amount of labour would be sufficient to produce such a crop as that estimated, which I have shown to be greater than was exported from the Colony under a high protective system. . 21. Judging from the best information within my reach, I should say that from 2,500 to 3,000 labourers would be an abundant supply. Lord Harris, in estimating the labouring population of Trinidad gives 100, including the aged and the sick, as a fair proportion for 200 hogsheads of sugar, but his Lordship observes it might be done with “less; in fact, there are those who have assured me that they can manage with the work of from 30 to 50 for 200 hogsheads.” This very low estimate is doubtless owing to the extent to which ratooning is practised in Trinidad. In estimating the required labour for 200 hogsheads at from 75 to 85 hands, I am aware that I am rather under the Barbados average, which may be stated at 100 men, women and children, but I feel persuaded that I am correct. Owing to the superabundance of labour in Barbados there are not sufficient means of employing it, and it is a well known fact, that except during crop time, the estate labourers are generally restricted to one task per day, which is not much if at all over half a day's work. 22. You will find, then, that the number of labourers required to produce a crop of sugar equal to what has been exported in recent years from St. Lucia would be, taking the high Barbados average, 2,000, and according to my very sufficient estimate, 1,600, while to raise the export to 7,000 hogsheads 3,500, or 2,800 would be sufficient. 23. I find from a statement appended to Mr. Drysdale’s report on the Blue Book for 1855, that the numbers actually employed in St. Lucia during the years 1851-2-3-4, and 5, were respectively 3,867, 3,942, 3,718, 3,180, and 3,201. The return gives the greatest number employed at one time during the year, but states the average to have been 2,400. These figures indicate very clearly that in crop time there was a considerable increase in the supply of labour, and that there was no permanent demand for it. It will scarcely be denied by any one acquainted with St. Lucia that the falling off in the number of labourers employed in 1854 and 1855 is to be attributed to the inability of the proprietors of some very extensive estates to pay wages. 24. I am of opinion that the evidence which I have furnished from official documents is sufficient proof that there is an ample supply of labour in St. Lucia available not only for the present limited demand, but for the working of the estates to an extent beyond what they have ever been cultivated. There can, however, be no doubt that the labour is not econo- mically managed. In the 15th paragraph of your Despatch of the 3d ultimo, No. 83, you state that “the St. Lucia planters seem averse to taskwork.” In Barbados the system of task work has been universally adopted, and has been found a powerful incentive to gº I have no doubt that it would add fifty per cent. to the available labour of t. Lucia. 25. It may seem extraordinary, that the disbursements for labour should be greater on a Barbados than on a St. Lucia estate, but it is I think to be ascribed to the large outlay in this colony for weeding and moulding. 26. I have been struck in examining the items of expense in St. Lucia with the heavy cost of management as compared with Barbados, and indeed it would appear that the resi- dents pay more under the head of managers and overseers than the absentees. Malgre’tout, with a resident proprietor, and having only 54 acres of canes, yielding under 100 hogsheads of Sugar, disburses 300 l. ſor managers, while Fond'or, the property of a non-resident, with 102 acies in canes, yielding 121 hogsheads only, disburses 170 l. In Barbados there are proprietors of the highest social standing, who manage their own estates. The average cost of management in this island is estimated at i s. 3 d. per 100 lbs., while on the estates returned by Mr. Dreuil, it is 2 s. 6d. Again the cost of manufacturing the sugar is much higher in St. Lucia than in Barbados, where the estimate is 5 dollars per hogshead. These are the chief items of excess in St. Lucia, except where freight is incurred. 27. An opinion is prevalent in this island, and I am myself aware that it is not without foundation, that the other islands have suffered from the want of punctuality in the pay- ment of wages to the labourers. In Barbados the practice of paying weekly has long been universal, and I am persuaded that it has had a most excellent effect. O. l 3. D 28. The ST. LUCIA, tºº 20 PAPERS RELATING TO THE *ST. LUCIA. tºmº. Encl. 9, in No. 2. 28. The influence of agricultural societies in promoting economy, has been highly advan- tageous to Barbados. A sub-committee visits periodically the estates of the members, and makes a full report as to their condition and management, which is most useful to the pro- prietors, and especially to those who are absentees. In my Despatch to Lieutenant Governor Kortright, I have adverted to the encouragement given to the labourers to cultivate the sugar- cane on their own account, and I consider that I have sufficiently established the fact, that notwithstanding the admitted superabundance of labour in Barbados, and the alleged defi- ciency of it in St. Lucia, the planters in the latter Colony have not held out any adequate inducement to the labourer in the former to emigrate. - 29. With reference to paragraph 8 of your Despatch of the 19th ultimo, No. 92, I pre- sume that, although you think that an increase of wages to creoles would be productive of no good, yet it would have been resorted to if conceded to the coolies. The planters surely would not attempt to make a distinction unfavourable to the former. I need scarcely observe that I retain the opinion expressed in a former Despatch, that low wages, and the neglect on the part of the planters to encourage the labourers to cultivate the sugar-cane on their own allotments have operated to drive labour into less profitable employment, from which it may now be difficult to divert it. Further withdrawal can only be prevented by the adoption of a more liberal policy towards the labourers. 30. You have expressed an opinion in paragraph 3 of your Despatch of the 19th Septem- ber that “the Barbadian finds no unoccupied tracts of land to purchase,” and I infer from your own remarks on this subject that you have formed a very exaggerated estimate of the proportion of small landed proprietors in St. Lucia as compared with Barbados. The return marked D, in the Appendix to Mr. Drysdale’s report on the Blue Book for 1855, to which you refer to prove the extent of small purchases in St. Lucia, states the number of rural proprietors holding property under 10 acres to be 484, and of these holding more than 10 acres to be 249. The last Barbados return shows that there were 3,537 proprietors holding less than five acres, and 1,155 holding more than that quantity. The number of sugar estates was 508, only 45 of which exceeded 400 acres, and very few were under 10. The St. Lucia return embraces a period from 1829 to 1856. In 1840 the aggregate number of Barbados proprietors was 1,874, of which 1,367 held under 10 acres. . In 16 years that number had increased to 4,692. Nothwithstanding, therefore, the high price of land, it would appear from these returns that the labouring classes in Barbados have purchased small properties to a greater extent in proportion to population than in St. Lucia. - 31. If it be true, as you state in paragraph 3, of No. 92, that “no inducement at all compatible with the profitable cultivation of the estates,” is sufficient to secure the labour of the creole, if he can avoid it, it seems to me that no other inference can be drawn than that the cultivation of provisions is more profitable than that of the sugar-cane. * . I have a very strong opinion to the contrary. I entertain no doubt that the cultivation of the cane is by far the most profitable mode in which labour can be employed, and as you admit that the creole labourer fully understands his own interests, it may be inferred that a sufficient inducement should lead him to remain on the sugar estates. I assert with con- fidence that no such inducement has been held out to him in St. Lucia, and that where a labourer abandons the estates, it is because he finds raising provisions the most profitable employment within his reach. You admit, in paragraph 7 of No. 92, that you cannot say that the St. Lucia planters have encouraged their labourers to cultivate the came on their own account. This is not the only instance in which they have, in my opinion, pursued a course prejudicial to their own interests, and I fear that they are too much averse to change to adopt any improvement in their system. * 32. I have considered it proper to place on record the opinion which I have formed on this question from the facts before me. My earnest advice to the planters of St. Lucia is to rely for the cultivation of their estates on the ample supply of labour in their own island, and on that which, if they give liberal wages and facilities for cane cultivation to their labourers, they would obtain by voluntary immigration. They cannot reasonably expect to obtain a considerable number of immigrants of any kind, so long as they keep the rate of wages below that which prevails in the Colonies which are competing with them for an additional supply of labour. His Honor the Administrator, I have, &c. St. Lucia. (signed) F. Hincks. Enclosure 9, in No. 2. (No. 1 11.) Sir, St. Lucia, 17 October 1857. ON the 29th September I addressed to the different applicants for coolie immigrants, a circular letter, in terms of your Excellency’s Despatch of the 25th September, No. 149, Executive, copy of which have the honour to enclose. To this letter I have received replies from the following parties, expressing their willingness to give the proposed wages, : namely, Mr. De Laubenqué, of Beausejour, Mr. Desrivieré, of Morne Courbari, Mr. Glace, of Fond Douse, Mr, Carteau, of Two Friends, Mr. Drouilhet, of Jalousie, Miss Tharel, of *s. * Diamond, WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 2i Diamond, Mr. John Goodman, of Pointe Sable, Mr. Glandor, of Marigot, Mr. Laroche, st. Luci A. of Ravine Claire, Mr. Garnier, of Pointe, and Mr. Weeks, of Beausejour. & tºº - I have, &c. - - $ (signed). H. H. Breen, His Excellency Francis Hincks, Esq., Administrator of the Government. Governor-in-Chief. Sir, Government Office, 29 September 1857. IT being desirable that an uniform rate of wages for coolie labourers should be established throughout the Colony, I have the honour to request you to state whether you are willing to accept immigrants at the following rates, namely, 10 d. per day for females, 1 s, for males, and 1 s. 4d. when employed in the mill or boiling-house. It is understood that the immi- grants are to be provided with houses and medical attendance, and to have in name of “garden” not less than half an acre of land. I am to add that no coolies will be allowed to enter into contract for less than those rates. I have, &c. (signed) H. H. Breen, - Administrator of the Government. — No. 3. —. (No. 37.) No. 3 Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable Governor Hicks Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. to the Right Hon. gº - Sir E. B., Windward Islands, Barbados, 10 July 1858. i. Lytton, (Received, 2 August 1858.) 10 July 1858. Sir, (Answered, No. 14, 4 September 1858, p. 28.) - WITH reference to Lord Stanley's Despatch of the 27th April,” I have now the * Page 26. honour to transmit the copy of a Despatch from Mr. Breen, communicating the views of the Executive Council on the suggestions made by the Commissioners, is . 60. to facilitate the emigration of coolies to St. Lucia. #. 1858 I think it is to be regretted that no emigrant ship was despatched to St. Lucia ~sº during the late season, and I venture to recommend that two vessels should be sent next year, to compensate for the omission. I have, &c. (signed) F. Hincks. Enclosure in No. 3. Encl. in No. 3, Sir, St. Lucia, 18 June 1858. ON the 16th instant I laid before the Executive Conncil your Excellency's Despatch of the 10th May, No. 237, on the subject of immigration, and I particularly directed the attention of the Board to the suggestion of the Emigration Commissioners, that if Indian labourers were found unwilling to emigrate to St. Lucia, on the terms stated in my Despatch of the 17th October 1857, they might be induced to do so, by some bonus paid to them in hand, or by some reasonable reduction of the period after which a free return passage would be given to them. 2. On the first point the Council said, that on the 8th September 1857, the Legislature of St. Lucia had passed a resolution, authorising the Emigration Agent in India.ºto give a bonus to each adult coolie of five rupees by way of free gift, and an advance not exceeding ten rupees, to be repaid out of his wages.” As the Council expressed their surprise that the Emigration Commissioners had not been made aware of that resolution, I informed them, that in a Despatch dated the 10th of the said month of September, No. 86, I had transmitted the resolution in question to your Excellency, and that I had subsequently received intimation that it had been approved of by the Secretary of State. The Council said that that resolution had been adopted at the suggestion of Her M ajesty's Government, and that they considered the bonus offered quite sufficient. - 3. On the question of shortening the period after which a free return passage should be given to the immigrants, the Council recommended that the period should be reduced to eight years, if the immigrants objected to remain for ten years. 4. The Council expressed their great regret that no immigrants had been sent to this Colony for the last eight years; while the Colony of Grenada, without offering higher wages G. 1 3. D 2 Or 22 PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. LUCIA. or greater advantages than St. Lucia, had received two ships with immigrants in 1857, sºmºmºmº and one ship since the beginning of 1858. I have, &c. * • * * * * (signed) Henry H. Breen His Excellency Francis Hincks, Esq. Administrator of the Government Governor in Chief. tº — No. 4. — No. 4. (No. 42.) ‘. º: CoPY of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable Sir E. #. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. ;ly 1858 Windward Islands, Barbadoes, 24 July 1858. y * (Received, 16 August 1858.) º Wide Appendix, Sir, (Answered, No. 13, 4 September 1858 p. 28.) No. 3 of Part I. WITH reference to Lord Stanley's circular Despatch of the 4th ultimo,” on the 7. subject of the agency to be employed in future for collecting emigrants in India Sº, for the West Indies, I have the honour to transmit to you the copy of a Despatch \{ } e wº sº from Mr. Breen, together with an extract from the minutes of the Executive _xº~ Council of St. Lucia, whose advice I had instructed him to require. 2. I entirely concur with Mr. Breen and the Executive Council of St. Lucia, as to the inexpediency of even two or three of the smaller Colonies involving themselves in the expense of establishing agencies in India. A single cargo in the year would probably be all that these Colonies could conveniently receive, and I venture to solicit that Mr. Caird should be instructed to continue to afford his services to the smaller Colonies, on the terms on which he has hitherto rendered them. 3. When relieved from the pressure of the Colonies seeking large numbers of immigrants, Mr. Caird will have little difficulty in despatching a vessel annually to each of the smaller Colonies. 4. If the proposed scheme should be successful, Mauritius would be likely to receive a larger number of immigrants than heretofore, as I observe that the division of seasons is no longer to be kept up. I can hardly suppose, therefore, that any objection would be made by that Colony to the very limited demand on Mr. Caird's time and attention, which would be made by the Smaller West India Colonies. 5. I have little doubt that Grenada will take the same view of the question as St. Lucia has done; but even if that Colony should be prepared to co-operate with others, it would be unadvisable for it to appoint a separate agent, to procure a single cargo annually. 6. I have thought it advisable not to lose any time in communicating to you my views on this subject, as, in the event of their not meeting your approbation, I must consider whether any other plan can be struck out. In that case I should be very glad to learn from the Emigration Commissioners what, in their opinion, would be the probable expense of an Indian agency for procuring emigrants. I have, &c. (signed) F. Hincks. Encl, in No. 4. Enclosure in No. 4. (No. 77.) Sir St. Lucia, 19 July 1858. Having laid before the Executive Council, at its meeting of the 16th instant, your Excellency's Despatch of the 12th July, No. 262, in reſerence to the agency to be employed for collecting emigrants in India for the West Indies, I have the hououſ to transmit to your \\oswº Excellency extract of the proceedings of the Board, containing the resolution adopted by sº ...~~ * *T them on this important question. 2. I have WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS, . 23 2. I have to add that I entirely concur in the views expressed by the Executive Council, which I also find to be entertained by all those whom I have had an opportunity of consulting on the subject. I have, &c. (signed) Henry H. Breen, His Excellency Francis Hincks, Esq. - Administrator of the Government. Governor in Chief. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 4. ExTRAct from the Minutes of the Proceedings of a Meeting of the Executive Council, held in the Council Chamber, Castries, on Friday the 16th day of July 1858. Present:—Henry H. Breen, Esq., Administrator of the Government, the Honourable Ls. La Caze, the Honourable R. G. M“Hugh, the Honourable James Macfarline, the Honourable John Goodman, the Honourable A. Cools. THE Administrator of the Government said, the next matter he had to lay before the Board was a Despatch from his Excellency the Governor in Chief in reference to the agency to be employed for collecting emigrants in India for the West Indies, and conveying the opinion of the Secretary of State, that it will be better that the services of the existing Agents should hereafter be confined to the Mauritius; and that the West India Colomies should have distinct agencies of their own. The Administrator remarked, that the question was one of great importance, involving nothing less than the fate of coolie immigration to St. Lucia, and he invited the Council to give it all due consideration. Despatch, No. 262 of the 12th July, was then read. The Council expressed their opinion, that St. Lucia was not in a condition to compete with Demerara and Trinidad, either in regard to wages or to the means of establishing agencies for the collection of coolie emigrants. They resolved, accordingly, that the pro- posal to employ a separate Agent in India, either on account of the Colony or by combining with some other island, could not be entertained, inasmuch as the expense of such an arrangement would not be productive of any corresponding benefit to St. Lucia. (True extract.) (signed) Geo. M. M'Leod, Chief Clerk. - — No. 5. — (No. 54.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. Windward Islands, Barbados, 8 September 1858. Sir, (Received, 2 October 1858.) WITH reference to your Despatch of the 29th July,” enclosing letters from the Emigration Commissioners and from the Acting Emigration Agent at Calcutta, I have the honour to refer you to my Despatch of the ioth July, f transmitting a copy of a Despatch from Mr. Breen, in which you will find the views of the Council of St. Lucia on the subject. I am decidedly of opinion that it would be inexpedient to reduce the term of industrial residence below eight years, but I am bound to add that the feeling among the planters in favour of obtaining an additional supply of labour is so strong, that they would readily agree to the proposal of the Emigration Agent, if no better terms could be obtained. It seems probable that the effect of the new arrangement under which the larger Colonies will have separate Agents will be to enable the Agent for Mauritius to supply without difficulty the very limited demand for labourers which will be made by Grenada and St. Lucia. I shall defer for the present proposing an amendment of the law with regard to residence, but I have to report that the Council of St. Lucia are prepared to O. l 3. - D 3 agree ST. L'UCIA- * No. 5. Governor Hincks to the Right hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. 8 September 1858. * Wide page 26. t Wide page 2 I- 24: PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. LUCIA agree to a term of residence of either seven or eight years, as may be found *-*== expedient, giving of course the preference to the latter term. , I have, &c. (signed) F. Hincks. º . . ) — No. 6. – Governor Himeks Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable to the Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. * - Windward Islands, Barbados, 10 Sept. 1858. - - - - 10 September 1858. ~ (Received, 2 October 1858.) No. *ś, Sir, (Answered, No. 28, 3 November 1858, p. 30.) 9. *º I HAVE the honour to transmit to you the copy of a Despatch from Mr. Breen, nC*- ...six covering an authenticated transcript of an Ordinance, intituled “An Ordinance Vide ^. 299; to amend the Ordinance No. 7, of the 2d May 1850, intituled “An Ordinance gºes” for promoting African Immigration into the Colony of St. Lucia, and industry of . the Immigrants,’” together with the usual Reports of the Colonial Secretary and Attorney General. This Ordinance having been passed in accordance with . the instructions contained in Mr. Secretary Labouchere's Despatch of the 25th t Page 25. February 1858, frequires no further explanation on my part. 4. I have, &c. (signed) F. Hincks. ' Encl. in No. 6. & Enclosure in No. 6. (No. 84.) - Sir, - St. Lucia, 2 August 1858. I HAve the honour to transmit to your Excellency duplicate copies of an Ordinance passed by the Legislative Council on the 21st July last, to amend the Ordinance No. 7, of the 2d May 1850, intituled “An Ordinance for promoting African Immigration into the Colony of St. Lucia, and the Industry of the Immigrants.” 2. The object of this Ordinance is to give effect to the instructions conveyed in a Despatch from the Right Honourable the Secretary of State, dated Downing-street, 25 February 1858, in reference to the contracts to be entered into with any liberated Africans who may be sent to St. Lucia. I have, &c. His Excellency Francis Hincks, Esq., (signed) Henry H. Breen, Governor in Chief, Administrator of the Government. &c. &c, &c. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. Despatches from the Secretary of State. * — No. 1. --- (No. 66.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M.P. to Governor Hincks. - Sir, Downing-street, 31 August 1857. I TRANSMIT to you, for your information and guidance, the copy of a letter from the India Board, with the copy of one from the Chairman of the Emigra- + tion Commission, relative to the remittance to India of the property of coolie labourers who may die in the West Indies, and of the earnings which they may wish to send to their friends in India, I have, &c. (signed) H. Labouchere. — No. 2. — (No. 80.) ©s Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M.P. - to Governor Hincks. Sir, Downing-street, 7 November 1857. I HAVE received your Despatch, St. Lucia, No. 45,” of 23d September last, together with a series of Resolutions adopted by the Legislative Council of that island, on various points connected with coolie immigration. I have to convey to you my approval of these Resolutions, I have, &c. (signed) H. Labouchere. — No. 3. — (No. 1 oz.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M.P. to Governor Hincks. Sir, Downing-street, 25 February 1858. HAVING observed that a large number of liberated Africans have been taken into Sierra Leone, and located among the resident population, I instructed the Emigration Commissioners to take steps for facilitating the conveyance to the West Indies of such Africans as may hereafter reach that port under similar circumstances. I enclose the copy of an agreement which they have accordingly concluded with Messrs. Hyde, Hodge & Co. I have instructed the Governor of Sierra Leone to use his best endeavours to fill the ships furnished under this agreement with such captured Africans as may consent to emigrate. It is of course impossible to predict the continuance of these captures, or the degree to which the Africans may avail themselves of the opportunity offered them ; but I think it desirable to inform you of the steps which I have taken to secure as far as possible to the West Indies the benefits derivable from the operations of Her Majesty's cruisers. I have also authorised the Governor to place on board of any ship proceeding to St. Lucia such of the resident population (being labourers under the age of 40, and their families) as may be willing to proceed thither. For these persons (as under the previous agreement with Messrs. Hyde, Hodge & Co.), the Colony Q. 13. D 4 will sº ST. LUCIA. gºmº =s* No. 1. Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M.P. to Governor Hincks. 31 August 1857. No. 2. Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M.P. to Governor Hincks. 7 November 1857. * Page 1. No. 3. Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M.P. to Governor Hincks. 25 February 1858. ^º. Part Fºge 439 of". 26 PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. LUCIA. º wer. A. PA gº ... 1359: O - No. 4. Right Hon. Lord Stanley, M.P., to Governor Hincks. 27 April 1858. No. 5. Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, JBart. M. P. to Governer Hincks. 29 July 1858. * Above, ... --> • will have to pay 5 l. per adult as freight (Article 16), and a fee of a dollar to the emigration agent in Sierra Leone. I have instructed the Governor of Sierra Leone to explain to the emigrants of both classes (as far as possible) that they must be prepared on their arrival to enter into contracts of service to last for three years, or (in the case of chil- dren) till the age of 18. Of course, however, it will not be competent to the Government to impose or sanction such contracts, except in pursuance of some law which is in force in the Colony on the arrival of the immigrants. I draw your attention to this point, in order that the Legislature may make such pro- vision, in accordance with the above instructions, as they may consider to be under the existing circumstances required. I have, &c. (signed) FI. Labouchere. P. S.—You will find in the accompanying Parliamentary Paper the former Instruction to the Emigration Agent at Sierra Leone, and various documents throwing light on this service. — No. 4. — (No. 8.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Lord Stanley, M. P. to Governor Hincks. Sir, Downing-street, 27 April 1858. I HAVE to request that you will forward, for the consideration of the Officer administering the Government of St. Lucia, copies of the 45th, 46th, and 47th I have, &c. (signed) Stanley. — No. 5. — (No. 8.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. to Governor Hincks. Sir, Downing-street, 29 July 1858. WITH reference to my predecessor's Despatch of the 27th April, St. Lucia, No. 8*, I transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Colonial Land and Emigra- tion Commissioners, with copy of one from the Acting Emigration Agent at Calcutta, in which he suggests that a reduction of the period of residence of the coolies to be sent to that island from 10 to 7 years would be the most effectual inducement that could be offered to the coolies to proceed there. I request that you will ascertain whether the Council of St. Lucia are prepared to acquiesce in their proposed reduction, and inform me accordingly. I have, &c. (signed) E. B. Lytton. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 27 Enclosure in No. 5. Sir, * Emigration Office, 28 July 1858. WITH reference to the report from this Board of 15 March last, paragraph 46, I have the honour to enclose, for Sir E. Bulwer Lytton's information, the copy of a letter from the Acting Emigration Agent at Calcutta, on the subject of the advantages to be held out to emigrants to induce them to proceed to St. Lucia and Grenada. 2. Mr. Eales, it will be seen, considers that a reduction of the period of residence from 10 to 7 years would be the most effectual inducement that could be offered. I would submit that a copy of his letter should be forwarded to those Colonies, in order that it may be ascertained whether they would be prepared to acquiesce in the proposed reduction of the term of residence, with a view to set the emigration on foot. To Grenada I presume that no emigrants will be sent during the approaching season, unless funds shall be specially provided for the purpose by the Colonial Legislature; but the Emigration Agent will be directed to endeavour to despatch a ship to St. Lucia, although until an answer is received from that Colony he will not be authorised to make any reduction in the term of residence. I have, &c. Herman Merivale, Esq., (signed) T. W. C. Murdoch. &c. &c. &c. Sub-Enclosure in Enclosure No. 5. (No. 27 of 1858.) * Emigration Agent's Office, Calcutta, Sir, 4 June 1858. IN reply to your letter of 26th April, accompanied by sundry extracts of letters from the Governors of St. Lucia and Grenada, on the subject of remuneration to coolie labourers employed on those islands; I have the honour to state, that, after a careful perusal of the information furnished in these documents, it would appear that the impression prevailing in India as regards the actual return for labour is based on an erroneous hypothesis : even admitting that the rate of money wages are considerably below those obtainable in the larger West India Colonies, the “ provision grounds,” and cheapness of living alluded to, may be considered as an equivalent, which would tend to equalise the scale of remuneration to that of the other West India Colonies. To encourage, however, emigration to the Windward Islands, and in particular to St. Lucia, which is yet wholly unknown to the Indian emigrants, I would strongly urge the expediency of the Government holding out some greater inducement to intending emigrants, the effect of which would make emigration to these islands equally popular with the larger and better known of the West Indian Colonies. There are many scruples inherent in the Asiatic mind which render them peculiarly averse to quitting their native homesteads, except for matters of personal aggrandisement, and they naturally demur to proceed to a Colony where the profit to be reaped is apparently less than at others. In explaining the advantages held out to them, and conditions of emigration generally on their entering the depôt, it is a matter not easy of accomplishment to impress on them the belief that one Colony giving a nominally lower return in actual salary, with other advantages, was fairly equal to other, Colonies who give a higher rate of pay with curtailed privileges. With this view, I would with respect suggest, that all parties who could be prevailed on to proceed to either St. Lucia or Grenada, should have the term of their industrial residence reduced from 10 to 7 years, with a free return passage at the expiration of that period, until personal experience amongst the labourers themselves gave indubitable proof of labour being equally profitable in all the West Indian Colonies alike. This measure would, I humbly conceive, have the desired effect, and would remove the present difficulty, without involving a general increase to the rate of wages in St. Lucia and Grenada. The alternative of advancing small sums of money by way of bonus, as recommended, would thus be avoided, as being one attended with serious evil. I have, &c. S. Walcott, Esq. © (signed) C. Eales, &c. &c. &c. Officiating Emigration Agent. ST. LUCIA. Encl. in No. 5. No. sij} 4. June. ~º: * 28 PAPERS RELATING TO THE t * * §T., LUCLA. No. 6. Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. r. to Governor Hincks. 4 Sept. 1858. * Page 22. No. 7. Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. to Governor Hincks. 4 Sept. 1858. * Page 21. gue" A8 58 .* --~~~ -- Enel, in No. 7. 3. — No. 6. – (No. 3.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. * to Governor Hincks. Sir, Downing-Street, 4 September 1858; I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 24th July, St. Lucia, No. 42,” and I have to acquaint you, in reply, that Mr. Eales, the Acting Emigration Agent at Calcutta, has been instructed to continue his services in that capacity on behalf of St. Lucia. w" I have, &c. (signed) J. B. Lytton. — No. 7. — (No. 14.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M.P. to Governor Hincks. Sir, - Downing-street, 4 September 1858. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 10th July, St. Lucia, No. 37, with copy of one from the Officer administering the Government of that island, in which it is stated that the Council had expressed their regret that no immigrants had been sent to St. Lucia. I transmit to you, for your information, and for communication to the Council of St. Lucia, a copy of a letter addressed, by my desire, to the Commissioner for the Affairs of India on the subject. I have authorised the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners to instruct the Agent in India to despatch, if possible, two ships with coolie immigrants to St. Lucia as soon as the consent of the Indian Government shall have been obtained. - I have, &c. (signed) E. B. Lytton. Enclosure in No. 7. Sir, Downing-street, 31 August 1858. I AM directed by Sir E. B. Lytton to transmit to you, with reference to my letters of the 7th July and the 22d September of last year, an extract from a letter from the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners, on a complaint made by the Colony of St. Lucia that they had not yet received any coolie immigrants. - I am to request that you will call the attention of the Commissioner for the Affairs of India to the statement made in the letter of the 17th June last from the Acting Emigration Agent in Calcutta (of which a copy accompanies the extract from the Emigration Commis- sioner), that the Governor General in Council was of opinion that the regulations made by St. Lucia were not sufficient, and that a further reference had accordingly been made to the home authorities on the subject. - * Sir E. Lytton very much regrets the delay that has occurred in complying with the wishes of the proprietors in St. Lucia for a supply of coolie labour, and he would be glad to be informed whether any communication has been received from the Governor General on the subject, in order that it may be ascertained in what respects the St. Lucia Ordinance has been considered insufficient for insuring all that has hitherto been required by the Government of India for the welfare of the immigrants. - Sir E. Lytton would request that, in the event of no such communication having been received, a Despatch may be addressed to the Governor General of India in Council by the next mail, calling attention to the Despatch addressed to his Lordship by the Court of * Directors west INDIA COLONTES AND MAURITIUS, 2.9 Directors in July of last year, and to the Ordinance passed by the Council of St. Lucia, which was forwarded to you in my letter of the 22d September last (a copy of which was no doubt forwarded to the Governor General), and Sir E. Lytton has to express his hope that the restriction imposed upon emigration, to St. Lucia will be at once removed, and authority given to the Emigration Agent to despatch the required number of emigrants to that Colony without delay. •. I am to add, that the Agent at Calcutta will be authorised to send two ships to St. Lucia, on obtaining the necessary powers to enable him to do so. - - - Sir G. R. Clerk, K. C. B. • * . * * , (signed) FI. Merivale. Sub-Enclosure. (Extract.) THE Council of St. Lucia complain that they have not yet received any coolie immigrants, while Grenada has received * two ship loads. This complaint is not ill-founded. As long ago as April 1854, the Legislature of St. Lucia passed an Ordinance containing all the pro- visions respecting this immigration, which they supposed, or had reason to suppose, were required by Government. This was communicated (after spine delay) to the Indian Govern- ment, who declared that the Ordinance was (though copied from an approved model) open to various objections, and declined to sanction the immigration till they were removed. The specific objections were communicated to us on the 8th of December 1856; and in our réport of the 14th of January 1857, we endeavoured to show (and I believe satisfied the Secretary of State) that they were founded on a series of oversights or misapprehensions. We recommended, however, that an Ordinance should be passed to remove them. This was immediately done, and the amending Ordinance (No. 2 of 1857) was, I believe, communi- cated to the Indian Government in the autumn of last year. But I perceive from a letter of the Emigration Agent at Calcutta (of which I enclose a copy), that on the 17th of June last mo enactment had been passed in India to legalise emigration to St. Lucia. I would suggest that the India Board should be requested to draw the attention of the Indian Government to the above Ordinance, in order that St. Lucia may be enabled, if pos- sible, to share in the coolie emigration of the ensuing season, The Governor of the Windward Islands suggests, that under these circumstances, a second ship should be sent to St. Lucia during the current season, to make up for the deficiency. On this pointſ have to request Sir E. Bulwer Lytton’s instructions. If, as I apprehend to be the case, 15,000 ſ. of the guarantee loan remains to be raised, I am aware of no objection to the proposai; provided of course the emigration is authorised by the Indian Government, and provided a fairly reasonable number is first sent to the larger Colonies, say three ships each to British Guiana and Trinidad, and (if emigration is resumed to that Colony) to Jamaica. * Emigration Agent’s Office, Sir, - - Calcutta, 17 June 1858. IN my letter to your address of the 4th instant, respecting emigration to Grenada and St. Lucia, 1 omitted to mention the circumstance of the absence of a legal enactment authorising emigration to the latter Colony. Mr. Caird, I find, previously brought this to notice in para, 3 of his letter to you, dated 20th November 1857; and I have also obtained copy of a letter from the Protector's office from the Supreme Government of India to that of Bengal, of 12th September 1856, wherein the Governor General records his opinion in the following extract: “With regard to St. Lucia the Governor General in Council is of opinion that the regu- lations provided and the measures taken are not sufficient for the proper attainment of these objects, and accordingly a further reference has been made to the home authorities in respect to the emigration of Indian labourers to that Colony.” . . I have, &c. To S. Walcott, Esq. © (signed) . C. Eales, &c. &c. &c. Officiating Emigration Agent. * Erroneously stated as three in Mr. Breen's Despatch. O. 13. * * E 2 ST. LUCIA. ammº- -**iss 3O PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. LUCIA. g-º-º-º: No. 8. Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. to Governor Hincks. 3 Nov. 1858. * Page 24. $. $ 85 * .." .* tº- No. 9. Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. to Governor Hincks. 12 January 1859. T • Encl. 1, in No. 9. Fncl. 2, in No. 9. — No. 8. — (No. 28.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. to Governor Hincks. - Sir, Downing-street, 3 November 1858. I HAVE received your Despatch, No. 57,” of the 10th ultimo, and I have to convey to you Her Majesty's confirmation and allowance of the Ordinance passed by the Legislature of St. Lucia, entitled, “ An Ordinance to amend the Ordi- mance, No. 7, of the 2d May 1850, entitled, “An Ordinance for promoting African Immigration into the Colony of St. Lucia, and the Industry of the Immigrants.’” T I have, &c. (signed) E. B. Lytton. — No. 9. — (No. 41.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. to Governor Hincks. Sir, Downing-street, 12 January 1859. I TRANSMIT to you for your information, and for communication to the Officer administering the Government of St Lucia, copies of two letters from the Acting Emigration Agent at Calcutta, reporting that he had chartered the ship “Palmyra " for the conveyance of coolies to that island. I have, &c. (signed) E. B. Lytton. Enclosure 1, in No. 9. Emigration Agent's Office, Sir, - Calcutta, 20 November 1858. I HAV E the honour to report, for the information of Her Majesty's Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners, having taken up the ship “Palmyra,” at 9 l. for each adult, for the conveyance of coolies to St. Lucia, and that I hope to despatch her in all January Ilext. I have, &c. S. Walcott, Esq. (signed) C. Eales, &c. &c. &c. Officiating Emigration Agent. Enclosure 2, in No. 9. Emigration Agent’s Office, Sir, Calcutta, 22 November 1858. REFERRING to your previous letters on the subject of the introduction of Indian labourers to St. Lucia during the current season, I have now the honour to inform you that an Act authorising the same was passed by the Indian Legislative Council on the 3d instant; mea- sures have therefore been taken to collect a shipload of people for that Colony in this Pre- sidency with all practicable despatch. The Madras Agent has also been requested to supply, if possible, the remaining portion demanded on this account. - Relative to the recent Instructions conveyed in your communication of 24th September ament the resumption of emigration to Jamaica, I desire to observe that I have submitted copies of this document, and the Despatch which accompanied it, for the consideration and orders of the Indian Government, whose reply I hope shortly to be enabled to furnish you with for the information of the Commissioners. - - I have, &c. (signed) C. Eales, Officiating Emigration Agent. S. Walcott, Esq. &c. &c. &c. tº WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 31 B A R B A D os. Despatches from the Governor. — No. 1. — (No. 42.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. Windward Islands, Barbados, 22 August 1857. (Received, 14 September 1857.) Sir, (Answered, No. 86, 22 October 1858, p. 54.) I HAVE hitherto refrained from communicating to you the opinions which I have formed on the West India labour question, and on the system of coolie immigration which is intimately connected with it. 2. On my assumption of this Government, I found that measures for pro- moting immigration to Grenada and St. Lucia had been assented to by Her Majesty's Government. It seemed, moreover, to be the general opinion in the West India Colonies, with the exception of Barbados, that coolie immigration was most desirable, and this opinion having been concurred in not only by successive Governors but by Her Majesty's Government, I could take no other course but that of carrying out the law. 3. The time has arrived when it will be no longer possible for me to avoid the responsibility of declaring my opinions on this important subject. The 1.egislature of St. Vincent is prepared to encourage immigration at the public expense ; and the question of the rate of wages to the coolies in the several Colonies has been raised in your Despatch of 12th June last ; * and I have no doubt that, under the stimulus of the present high price of Sugar, there will be an active competition between the several Colonies for all available labour; the result of which will be, that such labour will be diverted to those Colonies where large tracts of virgin soil can be easily obtained. 4. It seems to me that the encouragement of coolie immigration involves a very large amount of responsibility. I have no means of judging how far a constant and increasing supply of these labourers can be relied on, but I know that, if by any accident it should fail, the West India planters in those Colonies, which are placing their chief reliance on it, will be subjected to greater distress than they will have ever before experienced. 5. I am opposed to coolie immigration on many grounds. I believe the moral effect of it to be most prejudicial, operating as it does to discourage the abolition of slavery. It is indeed looked upon as a system of mitigated slavery in foreign countries, but especially in the United States of America. Its neces- sity is justified on the grounds that slave labour is cheaper than free, and that the emancipated negroes are unwilling to work. The West India interest has not ceased, since the passing of the Emancipation Act, to affirm these pro- positions, and the coolie immigration system appears to me to stamp them with the sanction of Her Majesty's Government and of the British nation. 6. I am of opinion that nothing short of a much more urgent necessity than has yet been proved to exist could justify the introduction into the British West Indies of a race so different in every respect from the Africans. I entertain no O. l 3. E 3 doubt BARBADQS. No. 1. Governor Hincks to Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M. P., 22 August 1857. * Wide Papers pre- sented August 1857, p. 354. 32 #, PAPERS RELATING TO THE BARBADOs. *** doubt that these immigrants are viewed by the creoles with jealousy and hatred, and that in those communities where the two races have been brought together, a Government, aided by military power, will alone be adequate to maintain order. I confess that I look with alarm on the introduction of such elements." of discord into those Colonies, from which Her Majesty's troops have been entirely withdrawn. • 7. I think that the tendency of immigration is to divert still more the creole labourer from the cultivation of the great staple product of the West Indies, the sugar-cane. If it could have been fairly proved to the satisfaction of Her Majesty's Government, that certain West Indian planters were unable to obtain free labour to cultivate estates, established during slavery, I think that expediency might have justified a compliance with their demand for immigrants. That, however, is not the present question : new capital is being invested in bringing additional land into cultivation, the price of sugar estates is going up to the old exaggerated and fictitious slavery value, and stimulated by profits, larger than any other branch of industry is yielding, the Colonies are embarking in a reckless expenditure, with a view of increasing exports at any sacrifice. 8. Coolie immigration is conducted, and necessarily so, on a most expensive system. This, however, does not, as it ought to do, operate as a check. The expense has in some cases been thrown, not upon those profiting by the labour, but, as I think most unadvisedly, on the entire population. This has been one, and not the least important, cause of the dissatisfaction of the creoles. The Colonies which have adopted this system are overwhelmed with debt. The demand is increasing more rapidly than the supply, and I fear that the future consequences will be most disastrous. 9. I entertain yet another objection, but one which I shall merely indicate, as it is at present under the consideration of Her Majesty's Government; allude to the mortality which has recently occurred on board the immigrant ships from Calcutta, and which I learn amounted to 17.6 per cent. of the number of coolies which embarked, and to which must be added those who died after landing. This has been so serious as to induce the Emigration Depart- ment to declare that, “unless the causes of the mortality can be discovered and prevented, it would be impossible for Her Majesty's Government and the Government of India to allow the continuance of an emigration attended with such disastrous results.” 10. I fear that I cannot communicate to you the views which I entertain on the labour question of the West Indies, without entering at some length into the history of the past, but if my remarks should be considered tedious, I venture to hope that the importance of the subject, and the magnitude of the interests involved, will be considered a sufficient excuse. I propose then to consider, in the first place, the question, whether the allegation of the West India planters, that sugar can be produced cheaper by slave than by free labour, is true. - 11. The West India interests have on several occasions appealed to Parlia- ment to relieve their distresses; I admit not only the existence of such distresses, but the claim of the sufferers to a large amount of sympathy, but I cannot allow that the cause of the depression of that interest has been at all times fairly stated. 12. It is not my intention to consider the complaints made on behalf of the West India interests during the existence of the slave trade, though they were as numerous during that period as they have been since, but I shall advert to the Report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons in 1832, when slavery was in full operation. - 13. The Select Committee declared on that occasion, that it had received abundant evidence of the distress which had existed for 10 or 12 years greatly aggravated within three or four. The causes of this distress were stated to be commercial restrictions, the acquisition of new sugar Colonies at the Peace of 1814, and the abolition of the slave trade, unaccompanied by its abolition on the part of foreign States, owing to which the cost of slaves was materially raised. I advert to the evidence given on that occasion, simply because it was - proved WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITſUS. 33 proved by gentlemen in the confidence of the West India interests, some of them planters, that the average cost of producing one cwt. of sugar in the West Indies, without any charge for interest of capital, was - :6. – l 5: 8 Freight and other expenses in bringing it to market - -- — 8 6. - | per cwt. - * - | 4 2" or on a hogshead of 15 cwt. - - £. 18 2 6 . 14. At that time the object of the West India interests was to prove that sugar was produced in the British Colonies at a much higher cost than in the Foreign Colonies; but in 1842, which was likewise a period of great West India distress, a Select Committee of the House of Commons was again instructed to inquire and report as to the cause. The object then was to prove, that whereas sugar had been produced very cheaply by slave labour, the cost was so great under free labour, that it was impossible to compete with the slave labour of Cuba; and that, moreover, it had been found impossible to obtain continuous labour from the emancipated negroes. I shall not advert here to the remedy suggested by the Committee, which was immigration. My present object is to call your attention to the statements made by the witnesses on behalf of the planters, as to the cost of producing sugar during the periods of slavery and freedom. - 15. A number of witnesses of the highest respectability were examined by the Committee, and very precise statements were given of the comparative cost. In page 186, and in answer to question 2522, it is stated by Mr. Barkly, that the average cost of production during slavery was 63. 8 d. per cwt., and during freedom 2 l. 0 s. 3 d. Again, Mr. Mungo Campbell, in his answer to question No. 2090, page 154 to 156, gives certain details of expenditure on three sugar estates in British Guiana during slavery, the average cost having been on one 9 s. 6d., another 5 S. 4 d., and another 3 s. 2 d, it having been one year 2s. 8d. per cwt., or 2. l. a hogshead. 16. I might ask you to compare these statements with those authorised by the West India Committee in 1832, or with the evidence of Mr. Peter Rose, of Demerara, in answer to question 1475, page 184, of the Report of 1832; but I prefer adopting a different mode of examination into the correctness of these statements. I may however observe, that the same allegations as to the cost of producing Sugar during slavery were made by witnesses before the Select Committee of 1848, and also in the Papers laid before Parliament by Her Majesty’s command in that year, and which contained statements made to the several West India Governors by the resident planters. - 17. I proceed to consider the statement made by Mr. Mungo Campbell, to which I have already adverted. The return shows that in 1830, 1831, 1832, 250 slaves on Endeavour Estate produced, on an average, 290 hogsheads of sugar, at a cost of 11 l. 3 S. per hogshead, or, deducting 4 l. 8s., the value of the rum and molasses, 6 ſ. 15 S. per hogshead, or 9 s. 6 d. per cwt. In 1839, 1840, 1841, the cost of supplies on the same estate, not taking labour into account at all, was 14 l. 10 S. per hogshead, and adding labour, 18 l. 17 s. 7 d., and deducting 10 l. 19 s. 6 d., as the value of rum and molasses, the entire cost was 22 l. 8s. 1 d., or 1 l. 11 S. l d. per cwt. It would thus appear that the supplies, exclusive of labour, were much greater when the planter was relieved of the heavy cost of supplying food and clothing for his labourers, and which formed the principal item of expense on a sugar estate during slavery. 18. There is no information given as to the quantity of land under came cultivation in the comparative years. If the same acreage was under canes, the deficiency in the crop could not be ascribed to want of labour; on the other hand, if the extent of came land had been reduced, the expenses ought to have been proportionately diminished. It is impossible to arrive at any satisfactory con- clusion as to the comparative cost of cultivation, without having the quantity of land under cultivation given in, and likewise the details of the heavy sums charged under the general head of supplies. 19. I can, however, have no hesitation in affirming, that all the statements that I have seen in the reports of 1842, disclose a most wasteful system of manage- ment, sufficient of itself to cause the ruin of all concerned. O. 13. E 4 20. I have BARBA DOS. cºmmºmºs 34 * PAPERS RELATING TO THE BARBADOS. 20. I have obtained the most reliable information as to the cost of producing sugar in this island, and I can assure you that I have not the slightest doubt whatever that free labour here is more economical than slave. I shall place before you the comparative cost of an estate in Barbados, containing 300 acres. of land, during slavery and at the present time. During slavery this estate produced not exceeding 150 hogsheads of Sugar, weighing certainly not over 1,600 lbs., or 240,000 lbs. ; there were 230 slaves, worth on an average 50 l. each, or 11,500 l., which, - º £. At 6 per cent. interest, would be * = * - * -º 690 Cost of clothing, food, and medical attendance, which I estimate at an average, which I consider very low, of 3 l. 10 s. each - tºº gº tº ſº 805 Cost of Labour - - - £. 1,495 or, 10 l. 12 S. per hogshead of 1,700 lbs. The same estate is now worked by 90 labourers, 60 adults, and 30 under 16 years of age. It has averaged for the last seven years 194 hogsheads, and the total cost of labour is 770 l. 16 s. or for each hogshead of 1,700 lbs., 3 /. 19s. 2d. The average of pounds of sugar was for each labourer during slavery 1,043 lbs., during free labour 3,664 lbs. There are now in cane cultivation 220 acres; whereas in time of slavery a considerable portion of the land was taken up in raising provisions for a large slave population. Finally, the value of this estate was estimated during slavery at 15,000 l. for the land, which was 50 l. per acre, and 11,500 l. for the slaves. After receiving the compensation money, it was sold during apprenticeship at 25,000 l., and purchased some years ago by the present proprietor for 30,000 l. This gentleman, who is of the highest reputation, has more than once assured me that the abolition of slavery had been a great boon conferred upon the planters of Barbados. I have shown that the cost of labour on this estate was about 4 l. per hogshead. According to statements, prepared under the authority of two agricultural Societies in this island, the other charges ought not to exceed 36 dollars 72 cents, or 7 l. 13 s., which would give a total cost of 11 l. 13 s., or, deducting 23 dollars or 4l. 15s. 10d. for rum and molasses, 6 l. 17s. 2d. per hogshead. Sugar has been netting this season about 30 l. per hogshead, It is an undeniable fact that the size and weight of the hogsheads have been materially increased of late. I believe 1,600 lbs. too large an average weight for 1830, and that 1,700 lbs. is less than the present average. I have, how- ever, thought it best to understate my case. 21. It is generally alleged that the prosperity of Barbados is to be ascribed mainly to the cheapness of labour. But you will observe that there is a very wide margin between 3 l. 19 s. 2d. and 10 l. 12s. per hogshead, and that the Barbados planter has many disadvantages to contend with. The estates are small, and the expense of management necessarily high in proportion. There is not much ratooning, and the cost of manure and moulding is very heavy. Again, the value of land is enormously high, altogether too high, to justify its maintenance by legislative authority. If, then, labour is 50 per cent. higher in Guiana and Trinidad, Barbados could set off other items of expense to counter- balance the difference. 22. I ascribe the prosperity of Barbados to very different causes; the principal of which is the economical management of the estates, and the pro- gress of agricultural science. I must not omit either to mention the judicious treatment of the labourers, which has prevented any extensive emigration to the Colonies where wages are much higher. The labourer in Barbados is com- pelled to work, as he can get no land without paying rent for it; but he is encouraged to grow the sugar-cane, and it is manufactured for him on most liberal terms. 23. I have, I trust, shown clearly that in the British West Indies sugar has been produced more cheaply by free labour than by slave. It may have been produced for less in Barbados than in some of the other Colonies; but there is abundant evidence in the Report of the Committee of 1832 to confirm the view which I have taken, and to show that in British Guiana the effective slave labour O]]. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 35 on an estate was only 30 to 33 3 per cent. of the total slave population, which had to be maintained at the expense of the proprietor. 24. I have at present no satisfactory means of judging of the cost of slave labour in Cuba. The report from the British Consul at Havana, which is to be found in the volume of Papers laid before Parliament in 1848, though full of interesting information, is in some respects incomplete. To enable one to com- pare the cost of labour at different places, it is necessary to be made aware of the amount of work actually performed. I believe that in Cuba there is no system of rotation of crops. The land is cleared and prepared for cane, and, if I mistake not, planted, all which operations are charged against the capital or investment account. The canes are then ratooned for many years, not less than 15 or 20, and when the land has been exhausted, it is abandoned for a time. 24. I hope to have more precise information on these points, so as to enable me to judge accurately as to the cost of slave labour in Cuba. Meantime, two important facts are stated in Mr. Crawford's Despatch to Wiscount Palmerston, dated Havana, 21st February 1848, page 1299 of the Papers laid before Parlia- ment in 1848, relative to the distress in the sugar-growing colonies. Clothing and food for 200 slaves are estimated at 6,000 dollars, or 30 dollars each ; this is exclusive of medical attendance and nursing; and it is further observed that there would be a proportion of females, children, and invalids, so that the actual cost of maintaining the able-bodied would nearly average the wages of a Barbados labourer. 25. Again, the charge for slave labour, when hired out, is 17 dollars per month, which, allowing 26 working days, would be 65 cents, or 2 s. 8 d. Sterling a day. No doubt the slave owner has a good profit on the hiring of this labour, but not more, I presume, than those engaged in other branches of business, if the maintenance of the stock be taken into account. If, then, a large amount of work is obtained from these unhappy beings, it is certainly paid for at a high price. The rate stated above is about double the highest wages given in the British West Indies, and more than three times that which rules in Barbados. 26. Having established, I trust satisfactorily, that there is no ground for the assertion that slave labour is more economical than free, I proceed to consider the allegation that the negro is unwilling to labour. 27. The proof offered in support of this proposition is the fact that a large amount of creole labour has been withdrawn from the cultivation of the sugar- cane ; there is, however, in my opinion, no just ground for the charge of indolence; there must, in all cases, be an inducement to labour. In countries where land is cheap, and easily obtained, as in the United States and British North America, labour is always scarce and highly remunerated. 28. It cannot be expected that men will work at low wages for others, when they can obtain the means of support by working for themselves. After giving to the subject all the consideration in my power, I am of opinion that no sufficient inducements have been held out to the creole population to labour in any colony except Barbados; and here, where a judicious system was adopted, it has proved completely successful. 29. I cannot discover in the mass of evidence which has been published on this question any satisfactory elucidation of the labour system of the West Indies. There is a constant reference to the money rate of wages, and to the refusal of the creole to work continuously for what is called a sufficient rate. Now, it is notorious that in all the Colonies the same principle has been adopted of combining labour for hire with labour on the labourer's own account. 30. The latter employment has been everywhere the most profitable, and you will readily perceive that a labourer may be better off in one Colony with 10 d. a day wages, if possessed of certain privileges, than in another with double wages, if unaccompanied by similar advantages. A mere comparison of the current rates of wages will therefore be a very unsafe guide in considering this question. 31. I have already adverted, in paragraph 22, to the contingent advantages O. 13. F enjoyed BARBADOS. 36 PAPERS RELATING TO THE BARBADOS. enjoyed in Barbados by the labourers. In the other Colonies the error was committed at the period of emancipation, of allowing the occupation of land, often without rent-charge of any kind, and squatting on Crown lands was likewise permitted. The most stringent measures should have been adopted to enforce the payment of rent at high rates, and to prevent squatting. A heavy weekly or monthly rent on Crown lands would have been sufficient, and would not have been objected to if the system had been enforced at the period of emancipation. 32. The other lands were in possession of the planters themselves, who could. to some extent have fixed the charge for rent ; but the great error has been that the negro was discouraged from labouring on his own account at the most profitable employment which he could have followed, the cultivation of the sugar-cane—an employment, too, which would have kept him under the influ- ence of the capitalist, on whom he would have had to rely for the manufacture of his crop. 's - - 33. I wish it clearly to be understood that I do not refer to what is called the Metairie system, which is a sort of partnership between the agriculturist and the manufacturer. I should be sorry to see the cultivation of the cane aban- doned by capitalists, who alone can bring it to perfection, but I deplore the diversion of labour from its most profitable employment. Had the planters encouraged their labourers to cultivate the came on small allotments of from half an acre to two, according to the numbers in the families, and to their industry, I am persuaded that the estates would not have been abandoned, and that moderate wages would have prevailed. 34. The negro will work industriously for himself, and self-interest would soon have taught him that labour on a sugar estate, combined with the culti- vation of the cane on his own account, would be more profitable than raising provision crops. 35. I may here notice what I consider a great fallacy as to the indolence of the creole labourer. Circumstances have in a manner forced him to employ himself in raising provisions. For this crop there is little or no export demand, and the local markets are adequately supplied. If, therefore, he employed more labour, it would probably be unremunerative, as an increased supply would reduce prices. Let the labourer have the stimulus of being able to sell his productions to an unlimited extent, and I should be much surprised indeed if he did not labour with as much industry as similar classes elsewhere. 36. My opinion then is, that creole labour has been diverted to a great extent from the sugar estates, owing to the adoption of an unwise policy. It would have been desirable that land should have been less easily obtainable, but at all events every effort should have been used to encourage the creole labourers to devote that spare time which was granted to them to the most profitable em- ployment. -- - 37. The tendency of immigration is to perpetuate this unwise policy. Tem- porary labour is displacing that which is permanent, and the creoles are aban- doning more and more the sugar cultivation. There is an ample supply of creole labour in all the Colonies to bring up the exports to double what they were in the time of slavery. I have been told that on one estate in this island, the whole labourers' allotments on which do not exceed 20 acres, as many as 20 hogsheads of sugar have been made by these small lessees. This would give them a return of probably 450 l. - 38. I believe that in some of the Colonies the Metairie system is making con- siderable progress, and though not the best, it is much preferable either to the abandonment of sugar cultivation, or to its maintenance by the labour of coolie immigrants. - 39. I am unaware whether any judicious attempt has yet been made to nego- tiate between the planting interest and the labourers. Such would at one time, I think, have been successful. The object would be to settle the terms on which the sugar cultivation could be advantageously prosecuted. Both parties would obviously be interested in the success of such a negotiation. Already tariffs of tasks have been adopted. They might be reconsidered, rates of wages might be - fixed, WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 37 fixed, having reference to the Gazette price of sugar; fair rents for land might be agreed upon, unconnected altogether with wages, and a charge for the manu- facture of the sugar-cane might also be established. 40. Reasonable concessions on both sides might restore harmony, but coolie immigration is rapidly bringing about a state of feeling that will, I fear, lead to deplorable consequences. There are many whites also who enjoy the confidence of the creoles, and who believe them to be hardly dealt with. Prominent among them are the dissenting ministers in some colonies, and the Roman- catholic priests in others. These clergymen would be Open to reason, and would, I have no doubt, exert a beneficial influence in restoring a good state of feeling. It strikes me that the object is at least sufficiently important to induce a consideration of the suggestion. - 41. My design in this Despatch having been to communicate to you frankly my general views on this question, I shall abstain from discussing any details of the immigration system in force in the several Colonies, especially as I shall have occasion to notice them at an early period. º 42. I may, however, observe that at a time of great prosperity, when the profits of sugar cultivation are perhaps greater than those obtainable in any other branch of business, it is a great temptation to the planter to have labourers imported for him at the expense of the community; and it is to be feared that the language of Earl Grey, in his Despatch to Governor Sir William Gomm, might be applied to other Colonies as well as to Mauritius. Earl Grey remarked in that Despatch, “I cannot but infer, from the general tenor of their proceedings and complaints, that the sudden and extraordinary extension of their cultivation, by means of imported labourers, has produced in them what is, I fear, the usual effect of such rapid advancements—an eagerness for still more extensive operations, rather than a desire to place the advantages they have gained upon an assured and solid basis.” - 43. In considering the question of immigration, I deemed it expedient to endeavour to procure some statistical information that would enable me to judge of the real demand for labour within this Government; and I caused a form of return to be prepared and printed, a copy of which I have the honour to transmit to you. . You may possibly be of opinion that it would be desirable that such a return should be obtained from all the Sugar Colonies demanding immigration. It is one that the stipendiary magistrates could easily prepare. The form, showing the cost of cultivating a sugar estate, could be filled up by any two or three planters in a district. 44. I have also prepared some queries, with a view of ascertaining the cost of producing sugar in Louisiana, which I have the honour to transmit; and if you think it expedient that such information should be procured, I would respectfully solicit you to cause an application to be made to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to obtain the answers through Her Majesty's Consul at New Orleans. - 45. It is proper that I should explain, that although the foregoing observa- tions may be considered, in some degree, applicable to the West India Colonies generally, yet I cannot pretend to any local knowledge beyond the limits of the Windward Islands. - 46. My opinions have been formed from my knowledge of the requirements of those Colonies and of the current rates of wages there, and of the number of available labourers. I have felt it my duty frankly to lay them before you, so that when I have to deal with any practical question, you may be fully aware of the bias of my mind. - I have, &c. (signed) J. Hincks. O. l 3. - F 2 Enclosure BARBADOS. 38 PAPERS RELATING TO THE BARBA DOS. Encl. in No. 1. No. 2. Governor Hincks to Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M. P. 9 November 1857. Enclosure in No. 1. QUERIEs to which Her Majesty's Consul at New Orleans is requested to procure answers with the view of ascertaining the cost of producing sugar in Louisiana on a well-arranged and economically conducted estate. - 1. What is the size of the estate in acres 7 . What is the number of acres in cane cultivation ? : . Is the system of ratooning followed, and to what extent 7 . How is the remaining portion of the land employed ; is any of it used for raising provision for the slaves º 4 5 . What is the number of the entire slave popul (tion on the estate 7 6. What is the number of effective labourers ? 7. What is the average per head of the slaves, and what the value of an able-bodied man 7 - 8. What is the cost of maintenance per head 2 9. What is the average produce per acre of canes in pounds of sugar, and what the present price of sugar 7 w 10. What is the produce of rum and molasses, and the price of those commodities 7 11. What is the value of buildings and machinery? 12. What is the value of the stock and the average cost of maintaining it effective 7 13. What is the aggregate amount of salaries to managers, book-keepers, overseers, &c. 14. What is the cost of packages 3 15. What is the cost of skilled labour, such as that of copper-smiths, mill-wrights, &c. 16. What is the cost of slave-labour when hired out? 17. Are there any other incidental charges; if so, please state what they are, and the cost 7 — No. 2. — (General.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. Windward Islands, Barbados, 9 Nov. 1857. -> (Received, 3 Dec. 1857.) Sir, -- (Answered, No. 97, 26 Dec. 1857, page 55.) I FIND in an official report of the proceedings of the Court of Policy of British Guiana an announcement by the Acting Attorney General of that Colony that a clause had been inserted in a Bill to amend the Immigration Ordinance “ for the purpose of legalising contracts made with labourers in any of the British West Indian Colonies,” and I consider it my duty to lose no time in advising you, that in my opinion, such a provision would be calculated to cause serious discontent among the planters in the several islands of this Government. There is no obstruction whatever in the way of emigration from these Colonies, and free passages may be provided by British Guiana for any persons wishing to resort to that Colony; but it strikes me that if contracts made elsewhere, were legalised, and especially unless authenticated by some officer of the Crown in the place where the contract was made, there would be serious danger of imposition being practised upon the labouring classes by agents from other Colonies. I have not thought it expedient to raise any discussion on this subject, which is not officially before me, either with the Executive Council or others, and I do not believe that public attention has been attracted to the late proceedings in British Guiana; I merely wish to call your attention to the effect which such a measure as that to which I have referred, is likely to produce in those Colonies where low rates of wages prevail. I have, &c. (signed) J. Hincks. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. J 39 BARBADos. — No. 3. — *== (No. 52.) * º e No. 3. CoPY of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable Governor Hincks H. Labouchere, M.P. to Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M. P., Windward Islands, Barbados, 9 November 1857. 9" "67. Received, 3 December 1857. 2 Sir, (Answered, No. 96, 26 December 1857, page 54.) I Hay, the honour to transmit to you the copy of a letter addressed to me e. by Mr. T. D. Hill, of Mincing-lane, London, covering copies of a petition to -*, the Legislature of Barbados signed on behalf of a considerable number of the non-resident proprietors of estates in this Island, and likewise a copy of the £ncio reply which I caused to be addressed to Mr. Hill. ~sº I have, &c. T & (signed) F. Hincks, Enclosure 1, in No. 3. Encl. 1, in No. 3. 4, Mincing-lane, London, Sir, 16 September 1857. I HAVE the honour to enclose, for your Excellency’s information, copy of a memorial Snb • which has been forwarded to the two Houses of Legislature of Barbados, on the subject of **. improving the condition of the labouring classes in the Island. re. Trusting your Excellency will favour the object in view with your countenance and support, *~~ º, - I have, &c. To His Excellency Francis Hincks, Esq. (signed) Thos. D, Hill. Governor-in-Chief of the Windward Islands, &c. &c. &c. X- Sub-Enclosure in Enclosure 1, in No. 3. CoPY of a MEMORIAL to the Legislative Council and House of Assembly, Barbados. The humble Petition of the undersigned Non-resident Proprietors of Estates in Barbados, Showeth, THAT your memorialists have heard with serious regret and dismay that, notwithstanding the exertions which have been made in the Island, and the expenditure in the establishment of schools, &c., so far from the desired improvement having taken place, there has rather been a retrogression in the moral and social condition of the labouring population of said Island, and that, as one alarming consequence thereof, juvenile delinquency is greatly on the increase. That your memorialists consider that, both on religious and political grounds, no efforts should be spared to stop this crying evil, and that, among the readiest means of accom- plishing improvenient, more widely extended religious instruction, and the prohibition, or at least the limitation of infant labour, would be found the most effective. e That your memorialists consequently pray your Honourable House to take the subject into your immediate consideration, and not only to enlarge, if necessary, the grants already made for the purposes of education, but also to pass an Act affording such assistance to the clergy of the different parishes as may enable them to employ the further agents required for carrying the glad tidings of the Gospel to the house of each labourer, and by reading, by the sale of Bibles, and by friendly admonition, to endeavour to raise the general character of the people. º - Also to pass an Act to prevent the continuous labour of children of tender years, and to make regulations, either through the rural constables or some other means to see that the provisions of the Act are not infringed. That your memorialists have observed with much satisfaction that the finances of the island are in a prosperous condition, and that the pecuniary means of accomplishing the desired objects are consequently at command ; nevertheless, if further aid should be neces- sary, your memorialists, although at present extensive contributors to the funds raised, would gladly respond to a larger call upon them for so excellent a purpose as that of elevating the position of the labouring classes of the Island. & O. 13. F 3 Signed 40 PAPERS RELATING TO THE BARBA DOS. gmmº-ºs Encl. 2, in No. 3. Signed on behalf of the members, whose names are hereunto annexed, of the association of non-resident proprietors and others for the improvement of the religious and social con- dition of the labouring classes of Barbados. (signed) Robt. C. Burton. Thos. D. Hill. The Earl of Harewood. Elliot Grasett, Esq. The Dowager Lady Ford. Thos. W. Harris, Esq. Mrs. Hampden. Robert Haynes, Esq. Mrs. Maarwell Hinds. . Benjamin Hinds, Esq. Rev. P. B. Auslän. Robert Hinds, Esq. Rev. E. Elliot. P. L. Phillips, Esq., M. D. Rev. J. R. Went. R. Reece, jun., Esq. E. A. Applewhaite, Esq. Thomas Sealy, Esq. G. E. Clarke, Esq. Messrs. Thos. Daniel & Co. J. S. W. S. E. Draa, Esq. Messrs. Thos. Daniel & Son. John Frere, Esq. Messrs. S. Hardy & Sons. H. Clement, Esq. g Alleyne C. Yard, Esq. Enclosure 2, in No. 3. - Windward Islands, Barbados, Sir, * - 26 October 1857. I AM directed by the Governor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th ultimo, enclosing the copy of a petition from certain non-resident proprietors of estates in Barbados ſowarded for presentation to the two Houses of the Legislature on the subject of improving the condition of the labouring classes in the Island, and to which you ask his Excellency's countenance and support. The Governor entertains no doubt that the proprietors on whose behalf the petition has seen signed, are actuated by the most praiseworthy motives, and he trusts that the obser- vations which he has directed me to make in reply to your ſetter will be attributed by them to a desire on his part that they should be put fully in possession of the opinions which he has formed on the subject of their petition, and which, being at variance with their own, must prevent him from affording that cº-operation which you request, and which his Excellency would much desire to give to any propositions emanating from so respectable and influential a body. The Governor is not of opinion that there has been a retrogression in the moral and social condition of the labouring classes of this Island, but as no grounds are stated in the petition for the assertion which is made, he thinks it better to abstain from discussing the point and more especially, as he is quite ready to admit that all the individual efforts which can be inade, and all the funds which can be raised, will fall far short of accomplishing such an improvement in the condition of the labouring classes as the philanthropist would desire. The Governor would therefore be anxious rather to stimulate the exertions of the non-resident proprietors than to express any opinion calculated to render them less active. - - It is to the remedies suggested in the petition before him that the Governor is of opinion that grave objections may be urged. Those remedies are, the prohibition or limitation of infant labour by legislative enactment, and increased appropriations from the public revenue for religious instruction. To deprive parents of the aid of the industry of their children would be a measure of great harshness, especially in a country where the rate of wages is very low. The arguments used for limiting the number of hours during which children may be employed in the close and unwholesome atmosphere of a factory, have not the slightest application to light agricultural labour, such as weeding; and the Governor does not believe that children actually work in Barbados one-half the number of hours to which their labour is limited in England. No case of grievance has been made out that would, in the opinion of the Governor, render it expedient to resort to a measure that would cause extreme discontent among the labouring classes, and would, moreover, in all probability, be objected to by the resident planters. With regard to the other remedy suggested in the petition, the Governor is of opinion that the charges on the revenue for Religious instruction and general education are already sufficiently high ; and as the memorialists affirm that “they, although at present extensive contributors to the funds raised, would gladly respond to a larger call upon them,” his Excellency directs me to observe that the great bulk of the revenue in Barbados is delived from duties on articles of consumption, such as flour, meal, fish, salted provisions, &c., to which the non-resident proprietors do not contribute at all, but which fall very heavily on the industrious classes. Formerly a considerable revenue was derived from taxes on land, but of late years these have been taken off, and duties on articles of consumption substituted in their place. The Governor desires me to state that, so far as his knowledge extends, there is no country where the landed proprietor is legally required to contribute so little to the support of the public institutions as in Barbados, and he ear- nestly hopes that, on being reminded of this fact, the proprietors will see the necessity of voluntarily assuming the duty of contributing to the improvement of the social and moral condition of their tenants and labourers. The work that should be performed in this Island is precisely that which an enlightened and liberal landlord in England would insist on being carried out on his estate, notwith- - - standing WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 41 standing his heavy taxes for religious instruction and the administration of justice. One of the most effectual means of ameliorating the condition of the labouring classes would be, by providing them with proper dwellings. So long as the labourers are mere tenants-at-will, liable to being ejected at a few days’ notice, it cannot be hoped that they will themselves erect suitable dwellings. The improvement of the residences of the labourers must depend solely on the proprietors, who have it in their power to effect this important reform, either by granting leases in perpetuity, the reserving adequate rents, or, by erecting suitable houses. A great many of the estates have a sufficient number of children on them to war- rant the institution of infant schools, the expense of which would be, comparatively speak- ing, trifling. Aid might be given to the éstablishment of dispensaries in the variºus loca- lities. Juvenile reformatories and industrial schools for vagrant children, are also much required. The Governor has felt it his duty to endeavour to aid the Moravian missionaries in their attempts to establish ragged schools and a dormitory for vagrants; but though his Excellency and several of the resident proprietors have subscribed liberally for their support, he has heard with deep regret that there is cause to apprehend the abandonment of the dormitory, from the failure of the missionaries to obtain the support of the non-resident proprietors, who constitute so large a portion of the entire body. The Governor trusts that the foregoing remarks will not be considered-in any degree offensive. He has no desire to obtrude his opinions on the non-resident proprietors of Barbados; but he has felt that his silence on such an occasion might be misconstrued, and he cannot but hope that some of the body on whose behalf you have addressed him, may be induced to weigh the heavy responsibilities which devolve on them, as the owners of most valuable and productive estates, and to make at least an effort to promote the improvement of their tenantry. He, at all events, while confiding in the wisdom of the Legislature, and earnestly hoping that he may be able to co-operate with them for the public good, feels it his duty to place on record his opinion, that it would be unwise to prose, ute social reforms at the cost of the labouring classes, while the landed proprietors, and especially those of them who are non- resident, contribute in so small a degree to those burdens which, in other parts of Her Majesty’s dominions, fall heavily upon fixed property. - - - I have, &c. Thomas D. Hill, Esq. - (signed) C. Ready, &c. &c. &c. Acting Private Secretay. — No. 4.— (No. 3.) CoPY of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M. P. Windward Islands, Barbados, 10 July 1858. - (Received, 2 August 1858.) Sir, (Answered, No. 18, 17 September 1858, p. 66.) I HAVE deferred making a reply to Lord Stanley's Despatch of the 16th April” (No. 8), until I could accompany it with the information called for in his Lordship's two Despatches of the 27th April, which I have only been able to do by the present mail. - *. 2. In submitting a few further observations on some of the topics which were discussed in the correspondence on which the Emigration Commissioners and Governor Wodehouse have reported, I think it will be more respectful and proper that I should confine myself to those points which alone seem to me to require further elucidation. 3. It is satisfactory to me to find that on one of the most important practical questions which has been under discussion in the correspondence, my views meet the concurrence of Governor Wodehouse, and, to a great extent, of the Emigration Commissioners. I refer to the mode of defraying the cost of the introduction of immigrant labourers. 4. I entirely concur with Governor Wodehouse, that the cost of immigration when defrayed out of the public funds, is, in point of fact, a bonus paid by the community for the production of sugar. I may, however, be permitted to doubt the correctness of the assertion, “it is true that all classes have been content to pay that bonus.” - 5. Governor Wodehouse declares that “the fairer and sounder principle of action ” is, that “the estates to which immigrants may be allotted, ought to pay for them in exact proportion to the number they may receive.” I should have felt it unnecessary to dwell further on this topic, if the principle advocated by Governor Wodehouse had received the unqualified approbation of Her Majesty's Government. - a’ 6. But although the Commissioners for Emigration concur with Mr. Wodehouse O. 13. F 4 and BARBADos. No. 4. Governor Hincks to Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M. P. 10 July 1858. * Page 55. 42 PAPERS RELATING TO THE BARBADOS. tºº, and myself “in considering that immigration should be paid for by those who profit by it;” and although they have cited what I consider unanswerable argu- ments in support of their opinion, they, in a subsequent passage, qualify that opinion, by stating that “it becomes difficult, both in practice and in equity, to enforce that strict rule that he who benefits by the emigrants shall pay for his introduction.” 7. Governor Wodehouse, however, states that the rule has lately been enforced in Guiana, and the Chinese immigration lately sanctioned by the Secretary of State is, I apprehend, to be conducted at the expense of those requiring the labour. I have, myself, no doubt whatever, that if the rule were authoritatively established by Her Majesty's Government the planters would submit to it, as they appear to have done in British Guiana. 8. The Commissioners arrive at the conclusion that “the apportionment of the expense of coolie immigration among those who directly benefit by it is rather a principle to be steadily kept in view, than a rule to be inflexibly enforced.” The practical effect of this conclusion on the part of the Commissioners is, that there is no settled policy on the subject, and that it is left, in a great degree, to the local legislatures, composed chiefly of planters, who have a direct pecuniary interest in the question to regulate the terms on which immigration should be permitted. 9. I may mention, by way of illustration, that the Commissioners in reporting very recently on the St. Vincent Immigration Acts, held it to be reasonable that the planters in the Legislature should determine what proportion of the expense should be thrown on the individual directly benefited, and what proportion on the bulk of employers who are indirectly benefited by the effect of the immigration on the labour market. 10. Now, in my opinion, the practical effect of the St. Vincent Act is to throw upon proprietors, who, by judicious treatment of their labourers are independent of immigration, the expense of importing labour for others, who, owing to their own bad management, are under the necessity of obtaining an additional supply. I admit that the former is a very small class compared to the latter, but I am persuaded that sound policy dictates the rigid enforcement of the rule of throwing the cost of importing labour on the planter who requires it. By such means the proprietors would be encouraged to pursue a judicious policy towards their labourers, but under the existing system, which throws the burden upon them generally, they have not so much inducement to employ strictly free labourers, and the consequence is, that the latter are more and more driven, by the force of circumstances, from the sugar plantations. 11. Had the Commissioners for Emigration reported in terms of decided oppo- sition to my views on this subject, I should not have again pressed them upon your consideration; but they have so far concurred in them, that I trust I shall be excused for recommending not only that “the principle should be kept steadily in view,” but that “it should be inflexibly enforced.” 12. The Commissioners have stated reasons which lead them to think that it would be unjust to throw upon the planting interest the entire cost of immigra- tion ; these are, in substance, that but for the restrictions imposed by Govern- ment, immigration could be conducted more economically than it is, and that, therefore, the extra expense caused by the Government regulations should fall on the community at large. 13. Restrictions have been imposed by Parliament on emigration from the United Kingdom, which have materially added to the cost of passages, which have been further increased by direct taxes in Canada and the United States, applicable to the relief and assistance of the poorer classes; but it would hardly be main- tained that the public should be made liable for such expenses. The restrictions have, I presume, been considered indispensably necessary; and it appears to me, that if they involve any additional cost, it should fall either on the persons seeking the labour, or on the labourers for whose benefit the restrictions have been imposed. It might, therefore, be fair to allow the planter, in consideration of any extra expense thrown on him by the regulations of the Government, to pay coolie labourers rather less than the current wages, which would still be much higher than they could get at home. - 14. Governor Wodehouse has stated in his report, that “throughout the corres- pondence Mr. Hincks appears unable to view the subject in any other light than that in which it would present itself to a Barbadian planter,” and then proceeds to observe, that I draw “a strong contrast between the conduct of the planters of St. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 43 St. Lucia and the extreme liberality of the Barbadians to the negroes,” but, he adds, “he leaves it very difficult to discover in what the St. Lucians fall short, and in no way explains why, in opposition to all experience of the human race, the Barbadian planter should act with wonderful liberality to those who are entirely at his mercy.” - 15. If I have conveyed the impression that the Barbadian planters treat their labourers “with wonderful liberality,” I must explain, that my remarks were intended to apply relatively to the planters in the other West Indian Colonies, and neither positively nor relatively to the employers of labourers in the United Kingdom. - 16. There is still much to be done to improve the condition of the labourers in Barbados, and so sensible of this are the proprietors, that two associations have been formed within the last year for the purpose of ameliorating the condition of the labourers, both of which have admitted the necessity of improving the tenure of land. - . 17. I regret that Mr. Wodehouse should have had any difficulty in discovering from my correspondence in what respects the St. Lucian planters fall short, as compared with those in Barbados, in their treatment of the labourers; but I cannot admit that I have failed to assign sufficient reasons for the anomaly presented by the condition of the Colonies within this Government. 18. Barbados is within a few hours sail of the other Colonies, and the cost of passage is trifling. Barbados is over populated, and wages are low, while land is very dear. The other islands require additional labour, and land is not more than one-fifth the price that it is in Barbados. 19. The principle referred to by Mr. Wodehouse, viz., “the attachment of every human being to his own country,” is, in my opinion, wholly insufficient to account for the reluctance of the Barbados labourers to seek employment else- where. That reluctance arises, I am persuaded, from the fact that they are better off at home than they would be anywhere else. 20. Extraordinary as the assertion may appear, it is nevertheless true, that in tle Colony where labour is superabundant, and where consequently the planter has been less dependent on his labourers, the latter have been better treated than they have been elsewhere. 21. I cannot, by any means, agree with Mr. Wodehouse, that it would have been unprofitable to have entered into “a detailed examination of the calculations brought forward by Mr. Hincks as to the comparative cost of cultivation in different Colonies, or even of those relating to the value of the wages paid in each.” I readily admit, however, that a variety of circumstances such as locality, Salubrity, skill and industry of the manager, may affect the comparative value of estates in the same Colony. 22. Such considerations are, in my opinion, wholly beside the question; which is as to the sufficiency of Jabour in each particular Colony for the cultivation of the estates established during slavery, and as to the cause of the abandonment of sugar cultivation by the labouring classes. 23. Mr. Wodehouse has entirely misunderstood my object in inquiring into the cost of labour. He states in paragraph 4, “that the correspondence shows that with present rates the negroes in St. Lucia are better off than in Guiana, and better than, for want of space, they possibly can be in Barbados.” I should have been glad that Mr. Wodehouse had referred to that portion of the correspondence which he considers to establish Such a fact. s 24. My own opinion is, that the abandonment of sugar cultivation in the West India Colonies by so many of the creole labourers is to be ascribed to inadequate wages; to irregular payment of wages, but chiefly to the tenure of land on the sugar estates, viz., a tenancy-at-will or licence of occupation ; and I shall proceed to offer some remarks in support of this opinion, which, I may observe, has been formed after a most careful investigation of the question in all the Colonies as well as in Barbados. 25. I shall briefly dispose of one of the advantages of a Barbados labourer. I believe that this is the only island in this Government in which the custom is to pay wages weekly in cash. The utmost regularity prevails in this respect, and I know that the Barbados planters believe that it has had an excellent effect. I have no doubt, that in many instances, labourers have abandoned estates in other islands, owing to irregularity in the payment of wages, or, as I should more properly state the case, the inability of the proprietor to employ labour in con- C. J 3. G. sequence BARBA DOS. *º-sºº 44 - PAPERS RELATING TO THE BARBADOS. tºmºsº sequence of his insolvency; I could refer to estates in St. Lucia, the labourers on which were compelled to leave, owing to their wages having been many months in arrear, and I am aware that the general practice in that Island is to withhold a portion of the wages, in the hope of thus preventing the people from leaving the estates. I have, moreover, been assured that the proprietors in St. Lucia who pay wages with any degree of regularity, have no difficulty whatever in getting all the labourers they require ; indeed, as I had occasion to state on a former occa- sion, there is an ample supply of labour in St. Lucia for the cultivation of the estates. It has, to some extent, been directed to other employments, owing to the mistaken policy of the planters, and I have no hesitation in affirming that the practical effect of the coolie immigration policy for that Colony is, that the most enlightened planters will be taxed, in order to perpetuate the abuses which have led to the abandonment of the estates. 26. I can hardly separate the question of a remunerative rate of wages from that of the tenure of land, because in most of the Colonies the occupation of land has been connected with wages. - - - 27. In the Despatches which were submitted for the consideration of the Emigra- tion Commissioners and of Governor Wodehouse, 1 pointed out as forcibly as I could, that the main cause of the abandonment of the sugar estates by the creole labourers was the unsatisfactory tenure of land. I am not singular in this opinion; I have conversed with many disinterested persons who have carefully studied the labour question, and especially with ministers of religion of different persuasions, and I have found them "deeply impressed with the same conviction. Dr. Davy, late Inspector General of Army Hospitals in this command, has in his excellent work, “The West Indies before and since Slave Emancipation,” page 528, pointed out the evil in forcible terms. - ". 28. I confess that it seems to me most extraordinary that so little importance has been attached to the bearing of the tenure of land on the abandonment of the estates. The Commissioners for Emigration in paragraph 42, observe, “it is true that the labourers’ land and cottages are held at will in St. Lucia, but so are they at Barbados. Ordinary wages do not exceed 10 d. a day, either in one Colony or the other.” But surely the Commissioners must perceive the practical effect of this state of things. - + * x 29. The Barbados proprietors have no occasion to attract labourers; land in small quantities being worth from 100 l. to 150 l. per acre in Barbados is beyond the reach of ordinary labourers, who must submit to the tenancy-at-will, and must take the current wages. In St. Lucia, on the contrary, the labourer can buy an acre of land for about 6 l. to 8 l., and will therefore not remain a tenant-at-will with low wages on a sugar estate. 30. The Commissioners are mistaken in supposing that the result of my policy would be to throw the growth of sugar into the hands of small proprietors. What I advocate is the concession of small allotments on the sugar estates in the vicinity of the works, varying, perhaps, from half an acre to two acres, according to circum- stances, on a freehold tenure. 31. Even if 30 or 40 acres of land were so disposed of, it would not be much more than is leased on many Barbados estates to the labourers. Such an arrange- ment would foster a mutual dependence on the part of the proprietors and labourers. The former would have to depend on the latter for the cultivation of his estate, while the labourers would be unable to manufacture their crop without the use of the works of the proprietor. 32. I affirm that this mutual dependence has been a main cause of the good understanding which has subsisted between the two classes in Barbados; and I know that this opinion is shared by the most enlightened of the proprietary class. 33. As to the rate of wages, and the comparison in the cost of producing sugar by slave and free labour, there are certain data which ought to be kept in view, and which I think will enable the Commissioners of Emigration to form a judgment on these points. The Commissioners admit in paragraph 50, that my despatches furnish strong grounds for believing that sugar is grown more cheaply in Bar- bados now than under slavery. They however add, that they furnish very scanty means for forming a judgment whether immigration is required in order to enable free labour in the majority of the West India Islands to compete with that of slavery. 34. In conducting this inquiry, it is fortunate that there is a satisfactory point from which to start. Sugar cultivation is carried on most profitably in Barbados, * it * WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 45 it is carried on more economically than during slavery, and it cannot be denied that sugar produced by free labour in this Colony can compete with any grown by slave labour. . - - 35. Surely then it is fair to institute a comparison between sugar cultivation in Barbados and in the other West India Islands; and to inquire into the nature of the advantages enjoyed by the former. I endeavoured in the Despatches which were submitted to the Emigration Commissioners and to Governor Wode- house, to show that we must look to other causes than the Superabundance of labour in Barbados, or the deficiency of labour in other Colonies, in order to account for the inferior position of the latter. I trust that I shall be more successful in explaining my views on the present than I was on the former occasion. 36. The cost of delivering a hogshead of sugar to the consumer in England may be conveniently divided into the following heads:—1st. Rent or interest on capital invested in land and buildings; 2d. Labour; 3d. Estate, supplies, foreign manures, stock and its maintenance, wear and tear of machinery, value of casks, cartage, taxes, skilled labour, including manager, overseers, &c.; and 4th. Freight, duty, and other charges in England. ** ~, 37. In the last two items, the Barbados planters enjoy no advantages over either their fellow colonists or the producers of sugar cultivated by slave labour. I am inclined to think on the contrary, that they labour under some disadvantages. Their estates are small, very few producing over 200 hogsheads of sugar, and many under 100; indeed, the average is less than 100 hogsheads. There is no water-power in the island, and steam has been introduced on a very few estates. Wind is admitted to be a more expensive power than either of the others, and would be unsuited for cultivation on a large scale, which ought to be more econo- mical in every respect. 38. In considering the cost of the several items embraced under the head No. 3 in my former correspondence, I stated that I was convinced the aggregate might be fairly reduced by 25 per cent. The estimate given by the Barbados Agricul- tural Society was 7 l. 16 s. 6 d. per hogshead, and I content myself with observing that if it be more in any of the other Colonies, the cause must be extravagant or injudicious management. 39. The interest of the capital employed in the purchase of land and build- ings in Barbados at the current market rate is 7 l. per hogshead; the cost of labour according to the estimate of the Agricultural Society is 6 l. 5 s., but I am persuaded that is much too high a rate, and that it may be taken at 4 l. 10 s. My estimate, I may observe, is based on returns from several well managed estates, some of which give less than 4 l. 40. The result then is that in Barbados the cost of sugar is per hogshead— - £. S. d. No. 1. Rent or interest &º gº - - - 7 — — No. 2. Labour - * . º. * =e ſº gº - 4 10 – No. 3. Supplies, &c. - * , as tºº dº - 5 17 5 º - 17 7 5 Less estimated value of Rum and Molasses - 4 3 4 £. 13 4 1 or about 17 s. 6 d. per cwt. 41. You will observe that the item of rent or interest of money is above that of labour, and about 9s. 4d. per cwt. This is the item too about which there is the least doubt. Many properties have changed hands within the last twelve months, and the majority at higher prices than my estimate. I have calculated interest at the current rate of six per cent., though no one would buy an estate and run the risk of markets, without expecting to realise from eight to ten per cent. for his money. The purchases have been made, I think, exclusively by resident pro- prietors of great experience. Several of these proprietors have acquired wealth by cultivating sugar since the abolition of slavery, 42. The estimate of the cost of producing sugar furnished by the Agricultural Society, and which will be found in Dr. Davy's work on the West Indies, pages 139 to 141, give labour at 6 l. 5 s. and other expenses, 7 l. 16 s. 6 d., which added to 7 l. for interest would be 21 l. 1 s. 6d. per hogshead, less value of offal crop, O. 13. - G 2 4 l. BARBA DOS. ** 46 PAPERS RELATING TO THE BARBADOS. * * Page 71. 4 l. 3s. 4d. I am convinced not only by the price paid for property, but by statements furnished by the proprietors of well conducted estates, that the esti- mates of the Societies are too high, and that mine may be relied on as not too low. 43. I now propose to compare the cost of producing sugar in Barbados with that in the other Colonies. I have already shown that the several items under the head No. 3, amounting in the aggregate to 5 !. 17 s. 5d. per hogshead ought not to be more in those Colonies than in Barbados. I may add that the prosperity of Barbados is invariably attributed to the abundance, and consequent cheapness of its labour. Now the value of labour in Barbados is less than one-third of the ag- gregate cost of the hogshead of sugar, and yet it is about the same price as it is in the other Colonies with the exception of Guiana and Trinidad, in the former of which it is about 50 per cent. higher than in Barbados. - 44. I may observe, that although when estimated by the task, wages are fully 50 per cent. higher in British Guiana, and considerably higher in Trinidad, yet that in both those Colonies the sugar-cane can be ratooned for several years, whereas in Barbados on the great majority of the estates new plants are put in every year. This is important, and will account for what seems an extraordinary fact that the cost of labour in producing sugar in some of the other Colonies is less than in Barbados. sº 45. But without taking any credit for the advantage derived from ratooning, and estimating wages in Guiana at 50 per cent, higher than they are in Barbados, the cost of labour should not be more than 6l. 15s. 0d. per hogshead, or 2 l. 5s. 0d. more than in Barbados. This then is the only disadvantage under which British Guiana ought to labour. I proceed to consider the relative value of property in the two Colonies. I was informed a few days ago on the highest possible authority that an estate in Berbice capable of making 600 hogsheads of sugar had been offered for 6,000 l. without finding a purchaser. The reason of this was likewise stated to me. The expenses were nearly equal to the returns. Now, if the value of this estate be assumed at 10,000 l., or more than 50 per cent. above what the pro- prietor valued it at, the interest on the capital invested would be 1 l. per hogshead, against 7 l. On a Barbados estate, whereas the excess of labour I have shown to be 2. l. 5 s. 0d. Thus, in the items of interest and labour combined, the Guiana proprietor has an advantage over the Barbadian of 3 l. 15 s. 0d. per hogshead; while in the items under heads 3 and 4 he is on about the same footing. 46. I have purposely compared that Colony with Barbados, where labour is higher than in any other, and I must again point out that unskilled labour is only One element among many in the cost of sugar, and by no means the most important. º 47. The Commissioners for Emigration seem to question the extent of my practical knowledge, and to rely a great deal on the “clear and coincident state- ments of Mr. Kortright and Mr. Breen.” I may be permitted to observe that, in my Despatch of the 9th November 1857, Grenada, No. 41,” I pointed out in paragraph 18 that Mr. Kortright could not defend the system of management, or of agriculture in Grenada. He admitted that it was “too true that there is a great misapplication of labour.” I obtained statements of the cost of producing sugar in Grenada through Mr. Kortright from reliable sources, and I analysed those statements, and showed that it was not in the item of labour that they were unable to compete with Barbados, but in European supplies, and in salaries; that in one instance the whole cost of labour had been 6 (, per hogshead, while that of salaries had been 5 l. 48. I carefully analysed all the returns submitted to me from other Colonies, and I satisfied myself, although I appear to have failed in convincing the Com- missioners for Emigration, that the success of the Barbados planters cannot fairly be ascribed to the superabundance of labour, but it is owing to their superior agricultural skill, and to their economical management of their estates, many of which are superintended personally by the proprietors. It is a most extraordinary fact, but one, regarding the correctness of which I entertain no doubt, that in this island, where labour is superabundant and cheap, it is economised in various modes to an extent that the planters in other Colonies seem to have no idea of. 49. With regard to British Guiana, Dr. Davy, to whom I have already referred as a distinguished and reliable authority, refers in page 358 of his work to the feeling of disappointment and regret excited “at the little skill displayed in the cultivation of the estates thus laboriously and expensively made. It is no exag- - geration, WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 47 geration, I believe, to say that in rudeness it even surpasses Trinidad.” I might quote several pages to the same effect, conveying not only the opinion of Dr. Davy himself, but of Dr. Spier, a very competent observer, intimately acquainted with that Colony in which he had resided for many years. & - 50. As, however, the Commissioners for Emigration have expressed a desire in paragraph 50 of their report for information “as to the cost of producing sugar by free labour on an estate equally well managed and equally fertile, where population is scanty, land plentiful, and no immigration under indenture allowed,” I may refer to the Island of Tobago, into which there has been but a very small immigra- tion of Africans, several years ago, and where land is plentiful and cheap. 51. Lieutenant Govenor Drysdale has taken great pains to ascertain the cost of producing sugar in that Island from the most experienced practical planters, and the result of his inquiries was, that it cost from 4 s. 10d. to 7 s. 53 d. per cwt., or from 3 l. 12 s. 6 d. to 5 l. l l s. 7 d. per hbd. of 15 cwt. net. This of course does not include interest on capital which in Tobago would not be more than from 1 l. to 2. l. per himd., nor maintenance of stock, nor wear and tear of works. On the other hand no allowance is made for the molasses and rum, which Mr. Drysdale observes are “sufficient indeed sometimes to defray the entire current expenditure of the property for the cultivation and manufacture of the whole crop.” 52. You will perceive that according to the returns given by Tobago planters the entire cost of producing sugar in that colony is considerably less than what- the Barbados planter pays in the shape of interest on invested capital. 53. Mr. Drysdale who has devoted great attention to the subject while admitting that “hired labour is obtained with difficulty, and is only given in a desultory and capricious manner,” adds that the labouring class are “far more industrious than others of their class in some of the other islands.” 54. There is no difficulty in reconciling the two assertions. In Tobago wages are from 8 d. to 10 d. per day. The consequence has been that the labourers would not work on the estates, but the result in that Island has fortunately been the adoption of the Metayer system. Mr. Drysdale believes that one-third of the whole Island crop has been produced in this way. He refers as an illustration of its working, to an estate which is cultivated entirely under this system which produced last year 130 hlids., and is likely to reach 180 this year. 55. The labourers, therefore, would receive for their share for cultivating the estate 65 to 90 hlids, of sugar, and taking the net value at 15 l. per hºld. they would receive for labour from 957 l. to 1,350 l. The cultivation of such an estate in Barbados would cost 520 l. to 720 l., and according to Mr. Drysdale's statement the highest cost of cultivation where labourers are hired in Tobago would be 41. 11 s. 7d., or about 300 l. to 415 l. for the quantity of sugar produced on the estate cultivated by the Métayers. * 56. A more striking illustration could hardly be given of the mistaken policy of West Indian planters, Had liberal wages, with small allotments on a freehold tenure, been given to the Tobago labourers at first, there can hardly be a doubt that they would have remained as labourers on the estates. They were driven from the estates by inadequate wages and a bad tenure, and the result is, that they are cultivating abandoned estates upon terms which yield them a much higher price for their labour than can be obtained in any of the other colonies. Mr. Drysdale states that one man has made 17 hlids. of Sugar, others 10, 5, and under. 57. The Métayer system which has been introduced extensively in Tobago, and to Some extent in St. Lucia, is that under which labour is best remunerated, but even under that system the Tobago planter gets a good return for his capital. Such an estate as that to which I have referred would be worth about 5,000 l., the interest on which would be 300 l. The wear and tear of machinery and main- tenance of stock might be 200 l, more, and the value of the sugar from 65 to 90 hhds. would be 97.5 /. to 1,350 l, in addition to which the proprietor gets the whole offal crop, which would be worth 400 l. to 500 l. - 58. Governor Wodehouse seems to doubt the correctness of my assertion, that the Barbados labourers are better off than those in St. Lucia and Grenada. It is, nevertheless, admitted by the Commissioners of Emigration that it appears from the Despatches that wages are about the same in those Colonies, and the expenditure for labour in producing a given quantity of sugar does not vary much. But I do not think that either the Commissioners or Governor Wodehouse appreciate the contingent advantages of the Barbados labourer. 59. I can state, without hesitation, that it is unusual for estate labourers to O. § 3. G 3 cultivate BARBA I) () S. ſºmºre 48 . . . PAPERS RELATING TO TI E BARBADOS. * * Page 2. cultivate sugar on their own account in the other Colonies. In Barbados it is the general rule that they do so. Dr. Davy estimated the produce from the small allotment of labourers in 1846-7 at 7,000 hlids., and from one estate from 40 holdings, each of a quarter of an acre, 25 hbds. It will not be pretended that labourers in any other Colony enjoy such advantages. Though I am inclined to think that Dr. Davy must have included the small proprietors with the labourers in his estimate of 7,000 hlids. I have no doubt of the correctness of his state- ment as to the 25 hlhds., the value of which might fairly be estimated at 375 l., which would in all probability be nearly as much as the cash paid for labour on the estate. - - *. 60. I fear that I have already extended my remarks on this subject to an unreasonable length. I may, however, state summarily what I consider that I have proved in this, and in my former Despatches. r 1st. Barbados can compete in the production of sugar with any country in the World, whether the cultivation is carried on by slave or free labour. This is proved by the value of property. An estate capable of producing 100 hlids. being worth 12,000 l. - 2d. The cost of unskilled labour in Barbados, in which I include that in the boiling-house, is little more than one-quarter of the total cost of production, including the interest on invested capital. - 3d. The Colonies where land is cheap could afford to offer much higher wages to labourers, and if they desire to attract labour, which it is admitted is superabundant in Barbados, ought to do so, by giving higher wages and by improving the tenure of land. 4th. So far from trying to attract labour from Barbados, these ('olonies hold out no inducement for free immigration. I conversed myself, within the last few days, with a labourer who had returned from St. Lucia to Bar- bados. He told me that in Barbados he got Is. for a task, and that when it was finished he was free, whereas in St. Lucia he got 10d. for a day's wages, and was not allowed to perform task-work. He likewise stated that the land granted to the labourers was high up on the sides of hills, where it was impossible to cultivate the cane, and most inconvenient for the labourers to reach. 61. I think it proper to observe that, after diligent inquiry, I have never been furnished with an instance in which a sugar estate has been abandoned for want of labour. The causes of abandonment are to be sought elsewhere, and in my opinion are the insolvency of the proprietors, the expensive management of the attornies of the non-resident proprietors, and the bad location of estates, which though yielding a profit under a high protective system when all properties had reached a fictitious value, could not be cultivated with profit when subjected to fair competition. 62. Mr. Wodehouse states that I seem to look for a considerable extent of new cultivation in St. Lucia and Grenada, but that I do not show any ground for this anticipation. I am not aware that I expressed the opinion thus ascribed to me; but in my Despatch to the Secretary of State, dated 9th November, St. Lucia, No. 57,” paragraph 18, I state, “The resident proprietors in St. Lucia would, | imagine, be themselves unwilling to have new lands brought into cultivation, and I doubt the possibility of doing so with profit.” 63. Mr. Wodehouse expresses the opinion, in paragraph 8 of his report, that the negroes and Indians cannot, “ without compulsion,” be induced to cultivate the required supply of tropical productions. From this opinion I totally dissent. It is by such arguments that the maintenance of slavery is defended. ‘I am ready to admit that the same amount of labour per diem cannot be obtained in the tropics as in colder climates, but I believe it to be a fallacy that the creoles of African descent are less willing to labour than the people of other races. If suffi- cient inducements are offered they will work industriously, and this is admitted by persons who have had much better opportunities of judging than I can pretend to. 64. Though I have thought it desirable to offer the foregoing remarks in sup- port of the opinions expressed in my former Despatches, I fear, judging from the report of the Emigration Commissioners, that there would be little use in my offering any practical suggestions. The Commissioners seem to think that it , would be inexpedien for Her Majesty's Government to attempt to improve the tenure, WEST INDIA COLONI ES AND MAURITIUS. 49 tenure, or to enforce regularity in the payment of sufficient wages by making immigration contingent on the adoption of such reforms. 65. The reasons assigned by the Commissioners for recommending non-inter- ference on the part of Her Majesty's Government deserve great consideration ; but on the other hand, I have no hope, judging from past experience, that reforms will be carried out by the parties who believe themselves interested in the maintenance of existing abuses, and I cannot but think that Her M ajesty's Government might effect one important reform by insisting that the wages of coolie immigrants should be paid weekly in cash. The planters would find it difficult to refuse to the creole labourers what they had to give to the coolies, and the Barbados system of regular weekly payment could thus be introduced into the other colonies. 66. In conclusion, 1 would observe that I have taken great pains to be accu- rate in my figures. I am well aware that some of my statements would be disputed by persons with better claims than myself to practical knowledge. My estimates may be pronouneed much too low ; and it may be said that the expenses of labour especially are much higher than 4! 10 S. per hogshead. I have no doubt, moreover, that some planters in Barbados actually pay more under the head of labour than I have estimated; but on the other hand, I am convinced that many others pay considerably less. 67. The planters themselves have admitted as is shown in Dr. Davy's “w est Indies,” page 141, that the value of the rum and molasses is $ 20, or 47, 3 s. 4d. per hogshead. The net price of sugar per hogshead may be fairly estimated at 15 l., and the charge for interest on invested capital has been correctly stated by me at 7 l. It is therefore clear that 12/. 3s. 4d. per hogshead is what the Bar. bados planter must rely on to cover labour, contingent charges of all kinds, and that profit which the capitalist will look for beyond six per cent. Now, m estimate is for labour and supplies 10 l. 7 s. 5d., leaving a margin of only ll. 15s. 11d. for profit, over and above interest at six per cent. 68. It must be obvious that very little reliance can be placed on the informa- tion obtained as to the cost of labour, and of supplies, and contingencies. Much will depend on economical management, locality, &c. For instance, in Lord Stanley's letter to Mr. Gladstone, published in 1850, detailed statements are given, which were furnished to his Lordship as an abstract of the books of “Hanover Estate,” in Jamaica. It appears from these statements that in five years, 1842–3–4–5–6, that estate paid for labour and supplies on an average 367 per hogshead, the lowest rate being 32 l. and the highest 45/. It is not surprising that with such management the property was worth nothing, and that there was an annual heavy loss on the cultivation. 69. But the same Returns show that the sugar actually netted a price far be- yond what a Barbados planter would look for. What I contend is this: Barbados Sugar is netting at present about 15 l, per hogshead, and the planters are perfectly satisfied with that rate, and, without expecting an advance, are buying property so high that every hogshead of Sugar is subject to 7 l. for interest on capital invested. It is obvious, therefore, that labour and supplies together cannot cost more than about 8 l. per hogshead, or such prices would not be given. 70. It cannot be alleged that Barbados has an advantage over other Colonies in supplies or contingencies of any kind; in fact all the allegations are that its supe- riority is in its cheap and abundant labour. Let their labour and capital be com- bined. Barbados is at a disadvantage of 5/. to 6 l. per hogshead, owing to the high price of property, and the price of labour is as high here as in any Colony but Guiana and Trinidad. But if the latter Colonies gave even double Barbados rates, and if they cultivated with the same skill, they would be able to compete with it. The truth however is, and it is vain to dispute it, that Barbados owes its prosperity not to its superabundance of labour, but to the skill and economy with which its estates have been cultivated. I have, &c. (signed) I'. Hincks. BARBApos. Wa every - me Śes reg ula!"; Paid J (In - jºian, *tnight. 50 PAPERS RELATING TO THE BARBADOS. º — No. 5. — --- - No. 5. (No. 50.) t . - Governor Hincks Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable to Right Hon. Sir E. Bulwer Lytton, Bart., M. P. .- Sir E. B. Lytton, - Bart., M. P. Windward Islands, Barbados, 3 September 1858. 3 Scpt. 1858. Sir, - (Received, 2 October 1858.) º I HAVE the honour to report that the iron screw steam-ship “ Mauritius,” bound from Hong Kong to the Havannah, with Chinese emigrants, anchored in Carlisle Bay on the 30th ultimo, to obtain a supply of water and coal. 2. I considered it my duty, having reference to the state of public opinion both in these Colonies and in England with regard to this traffic, to direct special instruc- tions to be given to the Comptroller of Customs to make the entry and search authorised by the Chinese Passengers’ Act, 18 & 19 Vict. c. 104. Aºuse *- 3. I have the honour to transmit herewith copies of the letter addressed to the Yacº- ~T...une 2: - Comptroller of Customs by the Acting Colonial Secretary, and of the report of ... -- gº- the former officer, the correctness of which I am able to confirm by my own personal observation during a visit which I paid to the steamer “Mauritius.” I have, &c. (signed) F. Hincks. Encl. 1, in No. 5. Enclosure 1, in No. 5. Sir, Secretary’s Office, 30 August 1858. THE acting assistant harbour-master reported yesterday that the iron screw steam-ship “Mauritius,” from Hong Kong, with 686 Chinese emigrants, bound to the Havana, has put into this port for coal and water. The Governor does not for a moment assume that there is anything suspicious or informal connected with this vessel; but, nevertheless, he is of opinion, that under all the circum- stances, it is important to ascertain whether the contracts which the emigrant passengers have entered into are regular, and duly certified by the Emigration Agent at Hong Kong ; and also whether the men are aware of the terms of their engagement, the period for which they are bound to serve, and the fact that the Colony to which they are destined is a slave-holding Colony. * His Excellency requests, therefore, that you will be so good as to board the “Mauritius,” and taking for your guide the Imperial statute, 18 & 19 Vict. c. 104, referring especially to the 6th section of the Act and the schedules, satisfying yourself on these particulars, and eport the result for his Excellency’s information. - . . . It may be as well at the same time to observe if the requirements of the Passengers’ and Navigation Acts have been complied with. - - - - I need only add, that the Governor relies on your exercising the delicacy and tact which will readily occur to you as necessary in instituting these inquiries. I have, &c. R. D. Fraser, Esq. (signed) J. Hampden King, &c. &c. &c. - Acting Col. Sec. Encl. 2, in Nº. 5. - Enclosure 2, in No. 5. Sir, Customs, Barbados, 30 August 1858. I Have respectfully to acknowledge your letter of this day's date, relative to the iron screw steam-ship “Mauritius,” from Hong Kong, with Chinese emigrants, bound to the Havana, which vessel put into this port yesterday for coal, and water; and expressing the desire of his Excellency the Governor that I should ascertain all particulars connected with the said ship. I have the honour to report, for the Governor's information, that, fully impressed with a sense of his Excellency's solicitude respecting emigrants proceeding to a slave-holding Colony in a vessel carrying the British flag, I boarded the “Mauritius” and carefully examined her papers, which were readily and courteously tendered to me by the captain and officers of the ship. I found the contracts entered into with the enligrants (each of whom had a copy in Chinese and Spanish) to be regular, and duly certified by the Emi- gration Agent at Hong Kong, in accordance with the Act 18 & 19 Vict. c. 104; and also that the schedules of that Act, and the requirements of the Passengers' and Navigation Acts had been complied with. I was particularly anxious to ascertain whether the emigrants Wel'C' WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 5i were aware of the terms and period of their "engagement; and more especially of the fact that they were destined; to a slave-holding country. On these points I was enabled to satisfy myself, through the assistance of an interpreter, and in presence of some officers from the garrison who came on board, one of whom seemed not unacquainted with the language and habits of the emigrants. I may add that the emigrants appeared cheerful and contented, and to have had their comforts in all respects attended to. The ship cleared at Hong Kong on the 18th day of May last, with 741 emigrants, and the surgeon of the vessel stated to me that the casualties, chiefly from diarrhoea, up to this date, have been 58. w The “ Mauritius” is a British ship, built in the year 1852; official number, 26,216; gross tonnage, 2,134+; ; register tonnage, 1,451 +%; ; owners, Robert Barclay, Robert Carle, and James Hamilton, all of Glasgow, in the county of Lanark, Scotland; present master, Donald Cruikshank, the number of whose certificate of competency is 11,231. & I have, &c. e J. Hampden King, Esq. (signed) R. D. Fraser, Acting Colonial Secretary. w Comptroller. - — No. 6. — (No. 55.) - Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable Sir E. Bulwer Lytton, Bart. M. P. Windward Islands, Barbados, 25 September 1858. (Received, 15 October 1858.) Sir, (Answered, No. 23, 10 November 1858, p. 68.) - IN my Despatch of the 1st instant, transmitting the Barbados Blue Book for the year 1857, and my remarks thereon, I drew your attention to the recent establishment, by the resident and non-resident proprietors of estates in this island, of voluntary associations for promoting the amelioration of the condition of the labouring classes, and specially adverted to a proposition which had been made by the local associations to change the tenure on which land is rented to the labourers. 2. The West India labour question is one of such great importance that I venture to draw your attention to an editorial article which has recently appeared in the Barbados, “Liberal,” edited by Mr. Prescod, for many years a member of Édio. ados << & I 11 the Assembly of this Colony, and a gentleman who enjoys the confidence of a very large portion of the inhabitants of the British West Indies. 3. This article has been elicited by the discussions which have taken place in Barbados in consequence of the proposition to change the present tenure to one of a more permanent character. It is well deserving of attention, and especially because it explains the views of large classes, who, from the fact that they are not represented in the Colonial Legislatures, have little opportunity of making their opinions known in England. 4. The arguments in the article which I transmit are, I believe, applicable to the West India Colonies generally; but the practical effects of the existing tenure have been felt much more seriously by the planting interests in other Colonics than in this. 5. In Barbados, owing to the scarcity of land and the density of the population, the tenure has not yet deprived the planters of an adequate supply of labourers. In all the other Colonies the effect has been to drive the labourers from the plantations. 6. My object being simply to lay before you the views of a large and influential class in the West Indies, which are stated with moderation and temper, I shall not further trespass on your attention. It will be for you to determine whether the article which I transmit is deserving of the publicity which is given to documents transmitted with the Blue Book Reports. I have, &c. (signed) F. Hincks. BARBADOS. tºmº No. 6. Governor Hincks to Right I lon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. 25 Sept. 1858, Ba * * l bad Y- * ... “ſºdos No. ." * : , I’al. 2, En 48. “losure *> ** Sept {-} p 1838, * 52 PAPERS RELATING TO THE BARBAIDOS. Encl. in No. 6. Enclosure in No. 6. TRUTH AND JUSTICE. - Bridgetown, Wednesday, 22 September 1858. THE proposition before the public in the recommendation of the joint associations of St. Philip and St. John, which the meeting at Sandford was held to controvert, has exclusive reference to thc tenure on which the labourers located on estates occupy lands and houses for which they pay rent. That tenure is now, with some few exceptions, a monthly one, with condition of service on the part of the tenant in addition to stipulated rent. It will assist very materially our perception of the real merits of the controversy if we take a full and particular view of the whole case which the question embodies. The advent of emancipation found the slaves on the several estates in occupation of the houses that had been prºvided to shelter them, and the allotment lands they had been per- mitted to cultivate for their benefit during slavery ; and, for the first few years after the close of the apprenticeship, they with few exceptions continued to occupy these, as incident to service, without paying direct rent for them. They gave their labour to the estate, generally for five days in the week, at a fixed rate of wages, some 20 to 30 per cent. below the common market rate, and this was the considered equivalent for rent. But the arrange- ment was, in the very nature of things, calculated to embroil the two parties in constant dispute and litigation. The labourer, on his part, was naturally anxious to get, whenever he could, the higher wages offered away from home; and the planter, just as naturally, perhaps, sought to involve all the working members of the labourer's household in the obligation to give their services to the estate at the fixed rate of wages. We need not dwell at present on the evil results from this state of things to the parties themselves, and to society through them. The system was gradually relaxed when it was found that the law did not bear out the planter in his claim to the services of all the members of the occupier's household, and the plan of direct renting came by degrees into vogue, this renting being almost in every case weekly, and with the mischievous condition still invariably attached of service on the part of the renter at a fixed rate of wages. - - The Master and Servants Act of 1840 had been framed for the then existing state of things; and providing for the resumption by the planter of houses and lands which his hired servants were permitted to occupy as incident to service, it gave the latter a right to a month's notice to quit, and to reap his growing crops or receive their appraised value, at the option of the planter. But the provisions of this Act did not exactly coincide with the new state of renting. Tenures incident to service were tenures at will with a circumstance, and the Act of 1840 was made in special reference to that circumstance. It could not well be strained to apply to simple tenancies at will, as the labourers’ holdings now generally were ; and in 1850 Mr. Maycock effected the desirable alteration in the law by passing a Bill through the Legislature, bringing all such tenancies, where the rent reserved is payable at less than quarterly periods, under the provisions of the Act of 1840, as occupations incident to service. . - - This, then, is the state of the law at present, as regards the tenant-labourer. In practice, he has a house and land allotment on the estate—more commonly the land alone, the house being his own—for which he pays weekly, either in money or in labour, a stipulated rent, generally the full value of the property, and is under engagement besides, as a condition of the renting, to give the estate a certain number of days’ labour at a fixed rate of wages, varying from one-sixth to one-third less than the market rate. The tenant, of course, is subject to all the biddings of the landlord, and those in authority under him, as to the service of the stipulated number of days, and exposed besides to their perpetual interference and attempted control in all matters in which it may be their pleasure to override his personal right to judge for himself. The penalty, if he presumes to resist this petty tyranny, is eject- ment at a month’s notice from his rented allotment, his growing crops being taken at an appraised value, which is often grudgingly paid, and in 19 cases out of 20 comes short of their actual value to him, to say nothing of the improvement of the land, or the tillage in actual preparation at the time for putting in a crop. For any cause whatever, or, so to speak, for no cause, at the mere will and plasure of the landlord or his agent, this heavy penalty may be applied at any instant, with the legal month's notice. But as the tenant forfeits his crops if the notice proceed from him, an inconceivable amount of petty oppression may be inflicted on the one side and endured on the other in view of this fact. Is it reasonable to suppose—we appeal to the common sense and ordinary experience of fellow-umen to say if it be at all reasonable to suppose, that, in such a state of things, under such circumstances as these, the labourer, as a general rule, can be safisfied, contented, have settled and correct views of horne, be particularly anxious to surround himself with - substantial comforts, and in a fair way to profit by the moral and religious influences brought to bear for his improvemont ? Is it in the nature of things that he should, under such circumstances, entertain for his landlord and employer any other feelings than those of dread, of distrust, of reckless indifference to his interests beyond the mere momentary point of contact where his own self-interest is directly involved 2 Does it consist with our knowledge of human nature, as we see it in everyday intercourse with the world, that the relations of these parties and the feelings to which they give rise, under the circumstances stated, could, by any possibility, be such as the best interests of the pal ties themse Ves, and the wellbeing of society around them require that those relations and feelings should be I + t WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 53 It is this highly mischievous state of things that is now sought to be corrected, by the change of land tenure from monthly to yearly at least, with no condition of service. We are told, in opposition to the proposed change, that the evils complained of are only theo- retic, the power held by the planter being very rarely exercised to the detriment of the labourer. But those who argue in this way, do so in seeming thorough ignorance of human nature and the influences by which it is affected. And the argument, besides, in this parti- cular instance, is, in point of fact, untrue. The power of ejectment, we grant, is but rarely exercised by the planter, and, from the very nature of things, could only be exercised rarely, or society would be in a constant state of convulsion through the country, as some of us remember to have seen it in 1838–9. The planter holds this power as his ultimatum to enforce submission to his will and pleasure. He has seldom occasion to exercise it; but his ability to do so at any moment and in any given case is undoubted, and has in practice all the desired effect. There is nothing, we say, in the present state of law or the prevalent public sentiment through the country, to prevent any tenant labourer, for any cause or for no cause, receiving, at the very instant we are now writing, notice of ejectment, and at the end of the legal month having his crops taken from him at an appraised value, his honse- hold rudely broken up, and the members of it, infancy and decrepit age, mere boys and budding maidens, with those of riper age, all turned adrift to shift as they best can for them- selves, until another location under precisely the same circumstances, and subject to the self-same chances, bring them, perhaps, together again. This is the evil. The exposedness of the labourer and his family to such treatment is the thing complained of. It is no answer to this to say..that the power is rarely exercised. It ought not to be possessed. We dread a murderous weapon in the hands of a madman, from the mere sense of insecurity induced by his possession of it. We know that he holds that which may he used to our injury, and we cannot be sure that he will not so use it. - But if the ultimate power of ejectment is rarely exercised by the planter, his vast power, short of this, and to which this, in fact, is meant to enforce submission, is in constant ope- ration, effecting all the mischief that we charge to it, The power of ejectment, of itself, would be of small practical value in the eyes of the most strenuous stickler for letting “well alone,” and few of our planters, we dare say, would be unwilling to relinquish it, but for the superstructure of which it is the base. The labourer, to go no further into detail, pays in rent the full value for his allotment, with or without a house, and is required besides to give his labour to the estate for four or five days of the week, at a rate of wages usually from one-sixth to one-third less than the market rate, having at times to endure even greater hardships than this. Some planters, we know, give the full rate, but they are the exception which goes to prove the rule. The general understanding is, that the located labourer shall give the estate four or five days’ labour when required—for there is no obliga- tion to find him constant employment—at 20 cents (10 d. sterling) a day, whilst that labour is commonly worth 24 cents, sometimes 30 cents, these higher rates being often paid to unlocated labourers working in the same field with the located. We say nothing of the simple inorality of this as a mere business transaction between man and man; but we revert to the question, whether it is in accordance with our experience of the world that the labourer should be satisfied, contented, and in a fair way to improvement under such cir- cumstances, or that the wellbeing of society should be promoted by them 7 One of the resolutions of the meeting at Sandford declares— “That the present Contract Act is sufficient in itself to carry into effect the reciproca; duties of master and servant; and that under the said Act in force, since the abolition of slavery, the best of feeling is promoted between employers and employed, giving full and ample protection to both parties.” - This resolution gives direct contradiction to all we have written in this article, and may farther write on the same subject. Either the framers of it have used words in a sense very different, indeed, from the ordinary significations attached to them by people in general, or we are woefully and amazingly in error, to say the least, in our views as to the actual condi- tion ºf the tenant-labourers, and the state of the relations between them and their landlord- employers. Now we don't care to merely argue a point like this, when we can put the matter plainly before the public in practical operation, and let every one judge for himself. One instance, of recent occurrence, in illustration of the actual working of this “Contract Act” (the Master and Servants Act of 1840, with Mr. Maycock's addendum), will show how it carries, practically, “into effect the reciprocal duties” of the parties. in question, what sort of “feeling”, it promotes between them, and the amount of “protection,” said to be “full and ample,” which it affords to the labourer in particular. To obviate, as far as possible, any supposition of unfairness in selecting our illustration, we shall take it from the practice of one of the very gentlemen who were prominent at the meeting at Sandford. We shall make Mr. Joseph Connell, who moved the fourth resolution at the meeting, the expounder of the third, which was carried, like all the rest, “ mem. con.” Halton estate, in the parish of St. Philip, is the property of Mr. John Connell, who is now on a visit to England, his brother, Mr. Joseph Connell, having charge of the property as attorney. On the 5th of July, in the present year, four of the located labourers on the estate, namely, King Hunte, William Shepherd, Richard Parris, and John Daniel, were cited before the police magistrate of the parish, for breach of this Master and Servants Act. Mr. Joseph Connell, in his information taken before the magistrate at the trial, stated the charge to be, that the defendants had absented themselves from work for the whole of the O. l 3. H 2 '. previous. BARBA DOS. tºº 54 PAPERS RELATING TO THE BARBADOS. ºsmºs No. 1. Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M. P. to Governor Hincks. 22 October 1857. * Page 31. No. 2. Right Hon. H. Iabouchere, M. P. to Governor Hincks. 26 Dec. 1857. ºf Page 39. previous week. “I gave them 300 came holes to dig where the lands had been previously subsoiled with the plough for 20 cents, which they refused to do.” And Mr. Thomas Bradshaw, the under manager, in his deposition, after stating this refusal of the four defen- dants to dig 300 came holes for a day’s work for 20 cents, added, “their average work is five days generally per week, at 20 cents.” We may state that the magistrate gave judg- ment against the defendants, and the Assistant Court of Appeal, to whom the case was carried by defendants, confirmed his decision a few days after. And so proud was Mr. Con- nell of this result, that he sent a copy of the proceedings before the magistrate for publica- tion in the “West Indian,” from which paper, of 16th July, the above quotations are made. Now, at the time when these labourers were required to dig 300 cane holes a day for five days in the week, at 20 cents a day, the common market price of labour for this description of work in the district was at the rate of 10 cents per 100 holes, and some few pushing planters were paying at the rate of 12 cents per 100. We took the trouble, at the time, to inquire particularly as to this. These four labouring men were therefore required, in addi- tion to their rent, to give their labour to the estate for five out of the six working days of the week, at a reduction of just one-third of the common market value of that labour ! Fifty cents—two shillings and a penny sterling a week were they required, one and all, to sur- render out of their poor incomes ' Mr. Connell exacted it—’twas “in the bond,” and the law bore him out in the exaction—that law which, we are blandly assured, “is sufficient in itself to carry into effect the reciprocal duties of master and servant; ” under which, “since the abolition of slavery, the best of feeling is promoted between employers and employed;” and which affords such “full and ample protection to both parties.” We now know exactly what these bland phrases mean in the resolution of the meeting at Sandford; and—need we write another word on the subject 3 Despatches from the Secretary of State. l - — No. 1. — (No. 86.) - Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M.P. • * to Governor Hincks. Sir, .* Downing-street, 22 October 1857. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, No. 42,” of the 22d of August, in which you lay before me your views on the question of labour in the West Indian Colonies, and on the system of coolie immigration. - I beg to return to you my thanks for your able and interesting Despatch on this important subject. - I have, &c. (signed) H. Labouchere. — No. 2. — - (No. 96.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. to Governor Hincks, Sir, Downing-street, 26 December 1857. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, No. 52,f of the 9th of November, forwarding the copy of a letter from Mr. T. D. Hill, with a petition to the Legislature of Barbados from certain non-resident proprietors in that island, on the subject of improving the condition of the labouring classes; together with a copy of your reply. I have, &c. - (signed) H. Labouchere. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 55 -— No. 3. — (No. 97.) - Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchero, M. P. to Governor Hincks. Sir, - Downing-street, 26 December 1857. I HAVE received your Despatch marked “General,” of the 9th of November, respecting emigration from the Windward Islands to British Guiana. Having heard that a law is about to be passed in British Guiana to legalise contracts for three years made out of the Colony with inhabitants of other West Indian Islands, you state that such a law would cause serious discontent among the planters in the Windward Islands; and you observe that, though a free passage may be provided by British Guiana for emigrants from those islands, abuses would occur unless the contracts were authenticated by some officer of the Crown in the place in which they were made. I annex copies of the 12th and 16th sections of the British Guiana Ordinance, No. 2 of 1848, from which you will perceive that by the existing law of the Colony, planters would be authorised to engage labourers for three years in any of the “ Islands of America,” but that no such contract would be valid except signed in the presence of a magistrate or notary public. e You will see by the Despatch from the Lieutenant Governor of British Guiana, of which I enclose a copy, that the proposed enactment in British Guiana is imerely introduced to remove a doubt (unfounded as it appears to me) respecting the applicability of the existing law, not to introduce any new principle. The policy of the Home Government on the subject of inter-colonial emigration has hitherto proceeded on a principle in some degree at variance with that suggested by you. The Government has considered that the public money of one Colony could not properly be applied to an emigration supposed to be injurious to another, but has not generally interfered with emigration conducted at the expense of private persons, except so far as it was expedient for the security of the individual emigrants. - I have, &c. (signed) H. Labouchere. — No. 4. — (No. 8.) *Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable the Lord Stanley, M.P. to Governor Hincks. Sir, - Downing-street, 16 April 1858. I HAVE had under my consideration your Despatches, Barbados, No. 421 of the 22d August; Grenada, No. 41t of the 9th November; and St. Lucia, No. 57+ of the same date, in which you explain the views which you have been led to adopt on the subject of the importation of immigrants into the West Indies. 2. My predecessors profited by the presence of the Governor of British Guiana in this country to obtain from him a statement of his views upon the same subject with reference to those stated by you. 3. The communication from Governor Wodehouse, of which a copy is enclosed, was accordingly received by my predecessor, and was referred, along with your own Despatches and their enclosures, to the Commissioners for Emigration. 4. I enclose herewith a copy of the Report which I have now received from the Commissioners; and I have to express my general concurrence in the views which it expresses. I have, &c. (signed) Stanley. BARBADOS. ººms No. 3. Right Hon. H. Lauouchere, M.P. to Governor Hincks. 26 Dec. 1857. * Page 38. No. 31, 10 October 1857. Wide page 11 of Part I. No. 4. Right Hon. Lord Stanley, M. P. to Governor Hincks, 16 April 1858. + Pages 31, 71, and 2. En ~guary I 8/- ~ - ~1868. *~~ Ene [\ 1 & losure *'''Arciº, . J C , 56 PAPERS RELATING TO THE BARBAE) OS. Encl. 1, in No. 4. Enclosure 1, in No. 4. Sir, 15, Queen-street, May Fair, 28 January 1858. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your letter of the 23d instant, forwarding for my remarks three Despatches from the Governor of Barbados, on the subject of labour and wages in the West Indies, together with a series of correspondence between that gentleman and the officers administering the Governments of St. Lucia and Grenada. 2. Such a variety of topics, many of them of importance, are discussed in the course of this correspondence, as to render it a matter of considerable difficulty to review them without intruding at too great length upon the Secretary of State. So much mischief might, however, arise from the want of a proper understanding of the matter, that I feel it my duty to enter into explanation upon some of the points raised. 3. Mr. Labouchere will not, I am sure, expect from me a detailed examination of the cal- culations brought forward by Mr. Hincks as to the comparative cost of cultivation in different Colonies, or even of those relating to the value of the wages paid in each. As regards the former, there are so many circumstances to be taken into account, even in the same Colony, as, for instance, the locality of an estate, its popularity, its salubrity, the skill and industry of its manager (circumstances of which a proprietor cannot be expected to render a true account), that it would be presumptuous for a stranger to pretend to an accurate knowledge of its exact condition. - 4. A comparison of the value of wages in different Colonies will be even more uncertain. It appears that in St. Lucia and Grenada the wages are paid by the day, while in British Guiana they are paid almost entirely by the task; and as it is beyond doubt that a labourer of average capacity can without difficulty perform two or even more of these tasks in a fair number of hours, and as the money value of each task exceeds the money value of a day's work in the islands, it would be impossible to determine accurately the comparative gain of the labourer without a full knowledge of all the circumstances bearing upon him, directly and indirectly, in both places; a knowledge which very few if any possess, and which we should waste time in endeavouring to attain to. Indeed it is not a little singular to find Mr. Hincks urging the planters of St. Lucia and Grenada to raise their wages for the purpose of competing with Barbados and British Guiana, when the correspondence shows that with the present rates the negroes in the first-mentioned island are better off than in Guiana, and better than, for want of space, they possibly can be in Barbados. 5. As I shall have occasion to differ from many of the views put forward by Mr. Hincks in this correspondence, I would in the first instance notice one point upon which, in the main, I agree with him.; viz. that it is not right that the planters should be provided with immigrants at the public expense. The consideration of this branch of the subject was by circumstances forced upon me not long after my arrival in British Guiana. The conclu- sion at which I then arrived, and which I have since seen no reason to depart from, was explained to the Combined Court at the opening of their annual Session of 1855, in the following terms:— gº “I have anxiously weighed this subject and cannot resist the impression, that the time has now arrived when we can no longer defray out of the public revenue any part of the cost of the introduction of immigrants; that that charge must, for the future, be paid directly by the planting interest, and that the general revenue must be required to meet only the liabilities already incurred, and those which may hereafter be incurred for the back passages of immigrants not yet introduced. In short, that for the future the planters must pay for their p assage hither, and the Colony for their passage back to their own country. “ In making this declaration I am prepared for its being viewed at first with apprehension and alarm by the planters; and it might, perhaps, be sufficient for me to urge in its defence the plea of necessity, and of necessity alone; but I am happy to think that in this instance it is not necessary to rest the defence of the proposition altogether upon so unwelcome an argu- ment. My hope and belief is, that the arrangements lately made for the management of the immigrants will, without inflicting the slightest hardship upon them, so much increase the amount of labour to be derived from them, and will consequently so greatly enhance their value as to enable the planter, by means of the assistance which in another shape may still be aſſorded him, to bear up against the burthen which this plan, if carried out, will cast upon him. “I have, therefore, spared no pains in endeavouring to satisfy myself whether the cost of the introduction of the immigrants ought for the ſuiure to be defrayed out of a new tax to be imposed upon the planters alo e, but upon the planters as a body, or whether the estates to which immigrants may be allotted ought to pay for them in exact proportion to the number they may receive ; and the latter appears to me to be the fairer and sounder principle of action. “I consider that so much of the cost of immigration as has hitherto teen paid out of the public funds, has been, in point of fact, a bonus paid by the community for the production of sugar. It is true that all classes have been content to pay that bonus, in the expectation (which no doubt has been realised) that they would all be benefitel by the increase of population ; but, nevertheless, seeing that the whole scheme was based upon the antibº . O N WEST INDIA CG) LONIES AND MAURITIUS. 57 of immigrants over the sugar. estates, the payments must be considered as a bonus upon sugar. - “If this view be correct, it will be admitted that the amount of bonus paid, in the shape of immigrants allotted, ought to have been proportioned, strictly speaking, to the average production of each estate; or, at least, that the claim of every proprietor, if he had wished to obtain immigrants, ought to have been governed by that rule. … - - “. It is hardly necessary for me to inform this Honourable Court, that no such rule (and probably for strong reasons) has governed the actual distribution; but I greatly doubt if the Court are aware of the extreme disproportion which has actually prevailed, and of which I can satisfy them, in the allotment to the several districts. In some they have received during the past years no more than 12 immigrants to every 50 hogsheads of their average annual produce, while in other districts the allotment has reached even to four and five times that number. - “I confess I am altogether unable to arrive at the possibility of establishing, under the existing system, a sound and wholesome scheme of operations. We cannot by means of assistance from the public funds permanently enable a private speculator, disadvantageously situated, to compete successfully with a neighbour, who, from various causes, may be com- paratively independent of foreign aid. All are entitled to their fair proportion of assistance from the public, so long as that assistance is given; but it is wrong to encourage the hope that more than that proportion can continuously be rendered to any. At the same time it must be admitted that many proprietors would be much distressed if they were at once required to pay in ready money for the introduction of the immigrants necessary for their operations, and that the immediate abandonment of some estates might be the necessary consequence. “. It is for that reason, and because I consider the prosperity of the planters to be mainly dependent upon the continuance of immigration, and the wellbeing of all classes, to be inseparably connected with the prosperity of the planters, that we may, in my opinion, with the greatest propriety, pledge the credit of the Colony in aid, of their undertakings. In short, I would recountnend this Honourable Court to sanction an arrangement which, I hope, there would be no difficulty in effecting, for raising loans, from year to year, to the amount neces- sary, to pay the expense of introducing the immigrants in each year, upon the understanding that such, loans shall be paid off in five or seven years by annual instalments, from the estates to which they may be allotted. “We shall thus obtain the best guarantee for the profitable employment of the immi- grant, and shall be prepared to pay, without reluctance, for his back passage out of the general revenue.” - The passages here quoted point to the same inequalities and interference with the ordi- nary course of trade as those which Mr. Hincks considers to encourage persons to open new estates to the detriment of old-established properties; and I conceive that if the cost of the introduction of the immigrants were placed (as it has now nearly been in British Guiana) upon the shoulders of the employers, all his objections on this score would fall to the ground. The employment of immigrants is optional with the planter; and he can calculate whether it is for his interest to pay a higher rate of wages in money to the negroes, if he can get them, rather than to incur the heavy primary outlay for buildings, medical attendance, &c., inseparable under the Government regulations from the reception of immigrants upon his estate; and there are a very few estates in British Guiana from which, I think, no applica- tions for immigrants have been received. 6. In paragraph 7 of his Despatch, No. 42, Mr. Hincks states, “If it could have been fairly proved to the satisfaction of Her Majesty's Government that certain West Indian planters were unable to obtain free labour to cultivate estates, established during slavery, P think that expediency might have justified a compliance with their demand for immigrants.” This adulission is in the case of British Guiana conclusive. We have lost all our cotton, it may be said all our coffee, and after a very heavy outlay for immigration and improved machinery, the sugar crop has but just reached that of the time of einancipation. Numerous sugar estates have been abandoned, and I cannot at this moment recollect one which has been brought back into a state of cultivation. In St. Lucia and Grenada Mr. Hincks seems to look for a considerable extent of new cultivation ; but he does not show any ground for this anticipation, while in the case of St. Lucia it is to be inferred, from the limited number of immigrants applied for, 501, that nothing of the kind is in contemplation. Throughout the correspondence Mr. Hincks appears unable to view the subject in any other light than that in which it could present itself to a Barbadian planter. He draws a strong contrast between the conduct of the planters of St. Lucia and the extreme liberality of the Barba- dians to the negroes; but he leaves it very difficult to discover in what the St. Lucians fall short, and in no way explains why, in opposition to all experience of the human race, the Barbadian planter should act with wonderful liberality to thºse who are altogether at his mercy. He puts out of sight the fact, that the Barbadian planter started from the time of emancipation, with a population nearly, if not quite unequalled on the globe, without per- haps an inch of unowned or unemployed land, with a consequent power of carrying out almost at their pleasure the arrangements necessary for cultivating their estates, an with a Legislature which up to this hour has undergone scarcely any of the changes to which the Legislatures of the other Colonies have been subjected. He appears to think that higher O. l 3 H 4 wages BARBA DOS- sººn. 58 PAPERS RELATING TO THE BARBADOS. dºº-ºº: wages would tempt the people of Barbados to the other islands, and sets little value upon the attachment of every human being to his own country—an attachment which even in the case of the white population of Barbados has become almost proverbial throughout the West Indies. - - . 7. The following is the 48th para. of Mr. Hincks's letter to Mr. Kortright, of the 7th August 1857: “Unfortunately the opinion has become but too prevalent in the Southern States of America, not only that free labour is less economical than slave labour, but that an emancipated negro is unwilling to work for hire. This opinion is grounded on the statements made by the West India planters. The fact is, that the free labourer in the West Indies simply endeavoured to obtain a just equivalent for his labour, and has turned it to the best account in his power.” The whole question hinges upon this point. When I first went to the West Indies, and became acqnainted with Jamaica, I was inclined to take the same view, and to consider the labourers as excessively underpaid. But I am constrained to state, after some years' study of the subject, and after living in the Colony in which confessedly the highest wages are paid, “ that an emancipated negro is unwilling to work for hire,” and that he has not “simply endeavoured to obtain a just equivalent for his labour.” He is unwilling to work continuously; and the greater the “equivalent” he gets for his labour, the less can he be depended upon to perform that labour with regularity. From all that I have learned the negroes of British Guiana were never in such a state of pros- perity, or in possession of such means as at the termination of the apprenticeship, when they had been for some time regularly employed for regular wages. They then formed associations and purchased estates, to be divided into villages, for 3,000 l., 5,000 l., even up to 15,000 l. The money is gone; the result is most miserable. At this day no amount of wages will induce the negro labourer to enter into an agreement for a term ; and it is the uncertainly of his actions which so much embarrasses the planter; whatever may be the number of labourers at work on a given day, the other expenses are nearly the same. The interest of money, the pay of managers, overseers, &c., the keep of animals, all run on at the same rate. It is in the removal of this waste and uncertainty that the chief value of immigrant labour consists. It is true that the coolies are generally very idle, that the con- tract is a very easy one, and that the coolies do not perform two-thirds of the work required by it; but nevertheless the proprietor can, in any emergency, rely upon his indentured immi- grants to avert any threatened evil, and to prevent the operations on the estate from being brought to a stand. Every practical planter can estimate the loss inseparable from the compul- sory suspension of any work, manufacturing or agricultural, and can therefore estimate the value of the protection from such suspension afforded by the indentures of the immigrants. Mr. Hincks cannot reconcile himself to the idea of giving better remuneration to the immigrants than to the negroes; but he would very probably find the planters willing to give quite as good terms, to the latter, if they on their part would give any security for, or even become bound for the performance of continuous labour for terms, limited indeed, but sufficient to ensure a certain amount of regularity. - 8. It is true that the system of indentures, as connected with immigration, is in itself temporary. When they cease I do not think that greater dependence can be placed upon the Indian coolie for the voluntary performance of continuous labour than upon the negro. I do not urge it as a matter of reproach against the two races, but my belief is that the con- sumption of the world calls for a greater supply of tropical products than those two races can without compulsion be induced to cultivate; and I think that the ultimate issue of the struggle between slave labour and free labour will depend upon our ability to introduce into our Colonies a sufficient number of some race or races of people capable of performing agricnl- tural labour in a tropical climate, and at the same time by nature so industrious as to work regularly without compulsion. In British Guiana we have already introduced, but in limited numbers, two races apparently possessing these qualifications, the Portuguese from Madeira and the Chinese. It is impossible to overrate the industry and enterprise of the former, or the benefits which the Colony has derived from their introduction. Indeed, so alive has the Legislature of the Colony become to this fact, that in the course of last year it was determined that the cost of their passages from Madeira should be paid out of the public revenue, and that they should not be required to enter into any indentures. Of the Chinese we have, unfortunately, but very few. Their employers, however, speak in the highest terms of them, as giving mo trouble, and working regularly and industriously throughout the year. Most people now consider the future prosperity of the Colony to depend mainly mpon a large. and continuous introduction of this race. - 9. Mr. Hincks takes political objections to Indian immigration, and thinks that the Government will have trouble in suppressing the disturbances which will arise out of the jealousies between the negroes and the coolies. We have not yet seen anything of the kind in Guiana; the two races do not associate, but they do not quarrel, and the records of the magis- trates will show that assaults are generally committed by people of the same race as the sufferers. I do not deny that the case is very different in respect to the Portuguese, in dealing with whom the negro at once perceives his own inferiority. But supposing that there be in the minds of the negroes, whose fathers were imported as slaves, a confused idea that the country belongs to them, and supposing that they really dislike immigration, as tending to prevent them from making any demand they may wish, it cannot be our duty to yield to such absurdities, or to abstain from making all just efforts to obtain the means of turning our property to account in the most economical manner. And looking at the question in a - public WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 50 public point of view, my own opinion is that the greater the admixture of races, with the greater safety will they be governed by us. - - - In conclusion, I must express my regret that my views should be so strongly opposed to those of the Governor of Barbados; but I trust Mr. Labouchere will admit that the arguments I have now made use of are in unison with those which on previous occasions I have had to bring under his consideration. - I have, &c. (signed) P. E. Wodehouse. Enclosure 2, in No. 4. Sir, - - Emigration Office, 15 March 1858. WE have to acknowledge your letter of the 1st ultimo, enclosing three Despatches from the Governor of the Windward Islands, and a letter from Mr. Wodehouse, the Governor of British Guiana, respecting coolie immigration. 2. The first of Mr. Hincks's Despatches (Barbadoes, 22d of August 1857) impugns the general policy of conducting coolie immigration at the public expense; the second (St. Lucia, 9th of November 1857) and the third (Grenada, 9th November 1857) have for their immediate object to supply for the use of the Emigration Agents in India certain infor- mation respecting the advantages offered to coºlie emigrants in St. Lucia and Grenada; but they are principally occupied in discussing the prior question, whether immigration into these Colonies ought to be authorised. 3. Mr. Wodehouse's letter is intended to answer the arguments adduced by Mr. Hincks against coolie immigration. " - 4. We propose first, to state the substance of Mr. Hincks's objections to coolie immigra- tion into the West Indies, and particularly the Windward Islands; and then to report on those objections, making use, as occasion serves, of Mr. Wodehouse's letter, and of the communications from the Lieutenant Governors of St. Lucia and Grenada, which are enclosed in Governor Hincks's Despatches. The length of this report will, we hope, be excused by the importance of the question which is raised, and by the circumstance that in bringing it under Lord Stanley's consideration, we do not know what points we are at liberty to take for granted. - 5. Governor Hincks's objections to coolie immigration in general, are principally con- tained in his first Despatch, and with some alterations of arrangement may be stated as follows:— (I.) This emigration is viewed by foreign nations as a “mitigated slavery ;” and by adopting it, we are considered to admit that slave labour is cheaper than free, and that negroes are unwilling to work. Such admissions are mischievous as deterring other countries from following the example of emancipation, and they are shown to be untrue by the experience of Barbados. & (II.) The introduction of coolies for the purpose of underbidding creoles in the labour- market, is likely to produce alarming animosities of race, especially if the cost of immigration is thrown on those whose wages it is intended to reduce. (III) It diverts the creole from the cultivation of the cane, thus injuring the native labourer; and displacing a permanent labouring population by one that is temporary. (IV.) It is used not merely to keep in cultivation old estates (which might be reasonable), but to bring into cultivation virgin soils to the injury of persons interested in old estates and old Colonies, who have a right “so far as it is not carried on strictly at the expense of the parties requiring the labour,” to complain of it as protective. (V.) It exposes the cultivation which it supports to the chance of total ruin on any stoppage of the supply of imported labour, and this without effecting the object of the immigration, since that supply increases less rapidly than the demand. (VI.) The cost is enormous; and being defrayed by public loans, charged, in part at least, on the general revenue, overwhelms the Colony with debt, without making itself effectively felt as a check on waste. (VII.) It was accompanied in 1856–7 by an alarming mortality on the passage. 6. Having stated these general objections to coolie immigration, Mr. Hincks proceeds to argue, first, that in Barbados sugar may be produced more cheaply now than in the times of slavery; and next, that this is owing, not to the density of the population in that island, but to the more skilful and economical management of estates, and particularly to the more judicious and liberal treatment of the creole population. 7. The two subsequent Despatches pursue the last subject touched on in the first. Mr. Hincks considers that the real object of this immigration into St. Lucia and Grenada is not to increase the number of labourers, but to keep down wages, and he argues that these islands i. in º not because labour is deficient, but because employers are unskilful and illiberal. - - O. 1 3. - I 8. In BARBApos. tº-ºº-ºº: Encl. 2, in No. 4. 60 - PAPERS RELATING TO THE BARBADOS. * 8. In support of these positions, he states, first, that the population is evidently sufficient for the cultivation of the estates, and, next, that wages are no higher, and the actual cost of the labour employed in manufacturing 100 lbs. of sugar is less in these islands than in Barbados. And he considers that the creole labourers would never have quitted the Sugar estates, and might in some degree be recalled to them, if the management were assimilated to that of Barbados. With a view to this assimilation, he makes the following suggestions. 9. The use of a cottage and garden (held at will) now forms an element in wages. To this confusion Mr. #. ascribes a great part of the misfortunes of the West Indies. Wages and rent should be clearly separated; the former should be raised, say, from 10 d. to 1. s. 3 d. or 1 s. 6 d. a day, should be paid weekly instead of monthly, and when possible by the job or task. Land should be let for a fair rent and a long period; and the small creole proprietors or lessees should be encouraged to grow sugar on their land, bringing it to be manufactured at the mill of their employer, who should, as in Barbados, give the use of his machinery in return for one-third of the produce. These little proprietors would collect round the sugar mill and form a body of labourers equal to the planter's wants. 10. Before proceeding to the discussion of Mr. Hincks's Despatches, it may be convenient to explain in some degree the nature, extent, and general consequences of that emigration against the continuance of which his arguments are directed. 11. The Colonies largely affected by it are Mauritius, British Guiana, and Trinidad. It was commenced by the planters of Mauritius in 1835 or 1836, to supply the place of the creoles, who were rapidly abandoning field-work (vide Parl. Paper, 28 May 1840, page 194). But in consequence of certain abuses practised by these private importers, and for other reasons, the emigration was suspended in 1838, and in 1843 was taken into the hands of Government, by whom it has since been conducted. The result has been that from 1834 to 1856 inclusive, upwards of 170,000 souls have been introduced into the colony, of whom and of their children there were still resident, in 1856, as many as 102,825 males and 31,446 females, in all, 134,271 persons, The effect on the production of the Colony has been enor- mous. In 1844 the sugar crop is said to have been about 70 millions of pounds; since that date it has never been less than 100 millions; in 1852 it exceeded 180 millions; and in 1855 it amounted to 228,480,000 pounds. 12. The operations which have thus trebled the production of Mauritius have not ſailed to confer on the population concerned in it the advantages naturally consequent on a rapidly increasing production. 13. On their arrival in the Colony immigrants are bound to enter into indentures for three years, with the obligation of serving for two more years a master of their own choosing, or redeeming that period at the rate of 1 l. 12 s. per annum. On making this payment or completing five years’ service, they may return to India, paying the cost of their own back passage, which is about 1 l. 14. The rate of wagºs before a recent stoppage of immigration averaged about 13 s. a month, besides food and lodging. That stoppage raised it in a few months to 17s., but at all times they have been able to lay by much money. “In 1849,” (we quote from a pre- vious report of our own,) “Mr. Caird considered that, with the slightest regard to prudence, a common labourer could easily save 200 or 250 rupees in the five years, and stated, as a well known fact, that three-fourths of those who returned to India brought with them sums of from 50 to 1,200 rupees each. About the same time (February 15th, 1850), Sir G. Anderson, formerly a judge in India, after searching inquiry, expressed his opinion in the following terms:– “I do not mean to say that we have not cases where difficulties are raised and justice sought to be evaded. It would not be human nature were it not so ; but I mean to say, as a whole, the lindian is well protected, and, as a whole, he is justly treated ; and, as a labouring population, perhaps nowhere in the world is in such favourable circumstances, He is well and certainly fed, he is clothed, he is lodged, he has good pay, he is cheerful, he is healthy, and, with the savings of his pay, looks at the end of his term of residence to return to his home with what to him is wealth.” “About the same time (16th May 1850), the Protector of Immigrants at Madras, an officer disposed to scrutimise very jealously the results of emigration from India, declared that the return emigrants who had brought back considerable sums of money, proclaimed the good treatment and liberality which they experienced in the Colony, and that emigration to Mauritius was held in such favour with the labouring classes that there could be no difficulty in obtaining the number of coolies then required by the Mauritius Government; and it is important to add, that when the prosperity of the producing classes was so severely tried by the failures of the great Mauritius houses in 1848, the labourer's wages were (except in a very few cases) duly paid, and the sugar cultivation immediately recovered the check.” 15. Into British Guiana, about 23,000 coolies have been introduced on terms similar to those in force in Mauritius, except that the rate at which service may be redeemed is higher, and that they receive back passages to India at the expense of the Colony after 10 years of indentured service. They do not, as in Mauritius, compose the whole of the agricultural population, but they form a most important part of it, and have materially assisted in raising the sugar crop from 34,199 hogsheads in 1841 to 55,366 hogsheads in 1855. Work is done by the task, and wages therefore vary according to the strength of a labourer; but a strong - I]] a [] WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 61 man can apparently earn but little less than a dollar by 10 hours’ steady work. The coolies, two years ago, held nearly 40,000 dollars in the Guiana Savings Bank, and those who return to India carry back with them large sºns of money. In the last ship which left British Guiana (the “Hamilla Mitchell’), 277 coolies paid into the hands of the authorities for transmission to India, G,033 1. 6 s. 7d. 16. Into Trinidad about 11,000 coolies have been introduced ; and it appears from a report of the Committee of Council that upwards of 7,000 of these persons were employed upon the crop of 1857, while out of 30,000 or 40,000 creoles and Africans less than 6,000 continued to work for wages in the growth and manufacture of staple products. The advantages enjoyed by the coolie in wages are not much inferior to those which he receives in British Guiana. “Any labourer,” (writes Mr. Keate), “with ordinary industry, can earn 2s. a day in addition to house room, garden, and medical attendance.” And he ºbserves incidentally, that the competition for labour existing in the Colony renders any attempt to secure continuous labour by punishment (which had been suggested by Mr. Caird) quite futile. Planters attempt to effect this object not by enforcing penalties for breach of con- tract, but by paying men who work regularly something beyond the usual rate of wages. In the last return coolie ship from Trinidad, 343 coolies deposited with the authorities 5,389 l. 5 s. 5 d., and took on their persons more than 900 l. 17. A few thousand Indians were introduced into Jamaica before 1848, and about 300 into Grenada during last year; but to these it is unnecessary to refer, as we have described the results of the larger immigration into 't'rinidad, British Guiana, and above all Mauritius. The result of these is, that about 200,000 persons have left countries in which labour is worth 3 d. or 4d. a day; where famines occasionally occur; where impressment and forced labour exist; where a corrupt and oppressive body of native police are, or were till very recently, interposed between the labouring population and the European magistracy, and where an eminent officer of Government describes the strong as universally preying upon the weak, for other countries in which easy labour will secure comparative affluence; where the conditions of society enable the labourer to dictate to his employer; where he lives under British law, and where he has at all times easy access to a British magistrate, and generally to an officer appointed for the special purpose of securing him his rights. 18. This result appears to us in itself a happy one; but it becomes doubly satisfactory if recognised as the healthy and natural consequence of that commercial necessity which leads capital to employ itself in transferring masses of population from places where they are ill off to places where they will be well off, and therefore as likely not only to continue but to increase. * - 19. This general view of the subject supplies, as it appears to us, a direct answer to much that is urged by Mr. Hincks. r 20. If coolie immigration is what we have described, it is no subject of regret, but the contrary, that the supply of immigrants does but intensify the demand for them; that Colonies which have employed coolie labour are eager for a larger supply; that those who have not hitherto employed it are anxious to do so; and that operations originally intended to support sinking properties are extended to the cultivation of virgin soils. It will, how- ever, be better to treat Mr. Hincks's objections in order. 21. (1) We are not aware of the evidence on which he states that this immigration is viewed as a “mitigated slavery” by foreign nations; we hope, however, that we have said enough to show that it cannot be justly so viewed. The engagement into which the Indian enters on leaving his country is voluntary, and imposes upon him no other obligation than that of performing, during the period of his expatriation, a fixed and by no means extrava- gant amount of daily labour at high wages, and for employers chosen (except during the first three years) by himself. The penalties by which this voluntary engagement are enforced are not oppressive, being confined to the loss of his return passage, or rather the obligation to contribute towards it; to small forfeitures, and to short imprisonments; and the principal restriction imposed on him is, that on working days he may be apprehended by the police if found more than two miles from the estate on which he is bound to work, without a written letter of leave from his employer. This provision we may add (directed of course against vagrancy and desertion) was not sanctioned by the Home Government till experience made it clear that it was for the true interest of the coolie, as well as his employer; and in reporting on it (7 March 1851, Parl. Paper, 624, of 1851, page 213), Sir H. Barkly observed, “ that in practice no manager of an estate would dare to incur the unpopularity of stopping an immigrant at whatever distance he might find him from the estate, unless he felt quite sure that his intention was to absent himself altogether.” 22. It is of course possible to describe as mitigated slavery any dependency of one man on another, which in the opinion of the speaker is excessive; but we are unable to perceive, in the coolie's contract, or in the laws by which that contract is enforced, any provision or aggregate of provisions which, either in principle or in degree, depresses his condition below that of healthy servitude, or which are incompatible with those legitimate hopes, occupations, or enjoyments which are natural to a free Asiatic labourer. 23. The contrivance of assisting labourers to emigrate on condition that they would repay the cost of their passage by labour, has been tried with English labourers, and was dis- O. l 3. I 2 continued BARBADOS. 62 PAPERS RELATING TO THE BARBADOS. gººms continued, not from any doubt of the advantages which it conferred on the emigrants, but y because it was found impracticable to enforce on them the performance of their contracts. 24. And if it is true that coolie labour is not only free labour, but prosperous and well- paid free labour, it follows that its application to the manufacture of sugar may be alleged, and will sooner or later be recognised, not as admitting the failure of free labour, but as illustrating its success. 25. (2) On the animosities of race which Mr. Hincks anticipates from the juxtaposition of coolies and creoles, we have little to add to the observations (which appear to us to deserve great weight) contained in the 9th paragraph of Mr. Wodehouse's letter. It is clear that 12 years’ immigration has not, in ſact, produced the irritation which Mr. Hincks. anticipates, and we do not observe any special reason for apprehending it. Until the creole cGiltracts an inclination for field-work, it seems improbable that he should resent an immi- gration of field labourers; and we may perhaps point out that the disunion between Asiatics and Africans may have political advantages as well as disadvantages in countries which are governed by Europeans. - 26. We concur, however, with Mr. Hincks and Mr. Wodehouse in considering that immigration should be paid for by those who profit by it, both as a matter of fairness to the labouring population, and also because, as implied by Mr. Hincks, the circumstance that the same persons who reap the benefits of any operation will pay for its expenses, and will thus be compelled to balance fairly the one against the other, furnishes the most legitimate security against ill-judged expenditure. The immigration may be continued, though ever so demonstrably wasteful, if the members of the Legislature profit by it, but the population pay for it. ... * 27. If it were possible to leave immigration to find its own level on mere principles of free trade, we should have little hesitation in recommending a firm enforcement of this rule; but this is not possible. It would involve the admission of private agents to collect labourers wherever they could get them ; the legalisation of contracts for such periods of time, and with such conditions as these agents could persuade ignorant Asiatics and Africans to accept, and the discontinuance, to a greaf extent, of female immigration. If, however, the Government interferes, as it does interfere, to take out of the hands of the planter the collection and shipment of emigrants; to limit the duration of contracts; to prescribe terms of service; to license emigrant ships, and generally to prohibit, on account of liability to abuse, such modes of operation as the private importer, if left to himself, might adopt, it becomes difficult, both in practice and in equity, to enforce the strict rule, that he who benefits by the emigrant shall pay for his introduction. --- 28. It must also be remembered that a properly-regulated immigration, by increasing the importance of the Colony, and retaining in it the white population, is an advantage to the whole tax-paying community; and, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, it is not perhaps wholly unreasonable to require the emancipated and prosperous creoles to contri- bute towards operations calculated in some degree to indemnify their old employers against the losses resulting from emancipation. 29. It appears to us, therefore, that the apportionment of the expense of coolie immigra- tion among those who directly benefit by it, is rather a principle to be steadily kept in view (which we apprehend it is) than a rule to be inflexibly enforced. 30. The allegation that immigration forces the creole from field-labour we shall discuss in connexion with Mr. Hincks's remarks on St. Lucia and Grenada. 31. The fact that it is applied to bring into cultivation virgin soils we have already stated to be in our view no subject of regret, but the contrary. If sugar can be grown cheaper in younger Colonies and on virgin soils than in old Colonies and on existing estates, the inha- bitants of those younger Colonies and the owners of those virgin soils, should have every facility given them for cheapening and increasing their production. Viewed as a question between Colonies, the planters of Barbados have no right to complain that the Legislature of Grenada expends its own revenue in the manner most calculated to develop the resources of its own territory. Viewed as a question between proprietors, the owner of an old estate in an importing Colony is benefited as much by the immigration as his neighbour who is bringing into cultivation a new one. As between the planter and the tax-payer, we have already admitted that the case is different, and that the application of taxes raised from the whole community to the conduct of coolie immigration must be justified, if at all, as an exception to the strict commercial rules of free trade. 32. The risk that the supply of foreign labour, and with it the operations commenced in anticipation of that supply, may be suddenly stopped, is the planters' own; and they should be the best judges whether it is orth their while to incur that risk. In the present case there is strong reason for supposing that it is worth their while. The example of Mauritius is in the highest degree encouraging, and that of British Guiana is considered so by those who are most interested in forming a sound opinion. 33. The expense of the immigration is certainly large. Including the cost of return passages (when claimed), and of introducing women and children, it may amount to 25 (. or 30 l. for every ten years' service. This perhaps may be viewed as equivalent to an increase of 3 d. a day on the wages; but considering how much the planters are at the - mercy WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUs. 63 mercy of the creole labourers, men shrewd enough to understand their advantage, but not sufficiently far-sighted to see the ultimate risk of ruining their employers by pushing it too far, it is easy to believe that the services of a reliable body of labourers are worth this price; certainly the colonists appear to think them so. - $ 34. The loans from which Mr. Hincks anticipates so much evil are, we believe, where they have been contracted, in steady course of repayment by annual contributions to a sinking fund. But we have already implied that we should consider it highly desirable on the one hand to make the cost of these operations felt sensibly by those who profit by them, and on the other to give them as much share in the conduct of the immigration as is con- sistent with the safety of the immigrant. - 35. The mortality of 1856–7 was in the emigration from Calcutta, which, from local causes, is always more or less unhealthy. It was very lamentable, but was exceptional, and its causes are now under investigation by the Bengal Govertiment. 36. We have now, we believe, treated of all Mr. Hincks' objections to coolie emigration in general. His objections to that immigration, as applied to St. Lucia and Grenada, are, that it is not really wanted to supply a deficiency in labour, but to keep down wages; and that the colonists have driven the creoles from their estates by bad management, and should attract them back by the offer of larger advantages. This opinion he founds on the contrast between these Colonies and Barbados. - 37. That the population of these islands is sufficient to support the existing cultivation if they would apply their labour to it, is sufficiently probable. But it appears to us that the clear and coincident statements of Mr. Breen and Mr. Kortright, who have practical knowledge of the state of society in their respective governments, leave little hopes that the recommendations of Governor Hincks, however excellent. in themselves, would effect the object with which he proposes them. --> • - 38. These statements corroborate each other, and are, we apprehend, corroborated by the known history of other parts of the West Indies. Mr. Breen and Mr. Kortright describe the growth of an independent proprietary, cultivating land which they have bought, export- ing produce to Trinidad, turning their attention as prices rise to the growth of sugar, fishing, shooting, satisfying all their tastes in the manner most congenial to them, and thwarting the management of a Barbados proprietor, by their independent habits and bearing; and they ask whether it is likely that these persons will be induced to exchange a life which suits them so well for the drudgery of plantation labour on any terms which the planters could prudently offer. It is not merely that they are averse from labouring for wages, but that they have the best reason for their aversion, namely, that they can do better for them- selves. 39. Those who prefer idleness to the fruits of labour cannot, of course, be induced to work by any wages. Those who have the spirit to work are likely to preſer the condition of small proprietor to that of hired servant, and certainly cannot be blamed for doing so; but neither, on the other hand, can we see any ground for complaining that they are forced from sugar cultivation, or for arresting the efforts of the proprietary to supply the place which it suits them to abandon. • •. 40. The fact that wages are as high in Barbados as in Grenada or St. Lucia, does not appear to us to indicate much ; for it appears evident that the dense population of the former island, if it does not lower the price of a day’s work, enables the proprietor to require (what is much more important) that it shall be regular and effective. The calculation which shows that more labour is expended on manufacturing a given amount of sugar in Barbados than in Grenada is more material; but we cannot think that comparisons of this kind, to which more or less of uncertainty must always attach, justify the Government in disre- gard ng allegations of actual pressing inconvenience, made by those who are suffering from it, and of which the results are found in the abandonment of estates. (Mr. Walker's Supplementary Despatch accompanying Blue Book, June 25, 1856.) 41. Nor, lastly, does it appear to us that the differences of management pointed out by |Mr. Hincks are the readiest mode of accounting for the command of labour which the Barbadian planter undoubtedly possesses. 42. It is true that the labourers’ land and cottages are held at will in St. Lucia, but so are they at Barbados. Ordinary wages do not exceed iO d. a day either in one Colony or in the other. Small proprietors pay more in St Lucia and Grenada for having their produce manufactured, but it is alleged that they get a proportional amount of assistance; and whether or not this is strictly true, the planters may well apprehend that in Colonies where rich land is abundant, Governor Hincks's policy would result in throwing the growth of sugar entirely into the hands of these small proprietors, and confining the planters’ opera- tions to its manufacture—a consequence which they can hardly be expected to contemplate with much complacency. 43. The weekly payment of wages, the adoption of taskwork, and the visible separa- tion of wages from rent, are the other desiderata in the smaller Windward Islands. But admitting the need of these improvements, we cannot think that it tends to shake the received notion that Barbados owes its comparative prosperity to its dense population, or to show that St. Lucia and Grenada would not be benefited by increasing theirs. 44. It appears to us, on the whole, that there is no reason to doubt that coolie immigra- tion is beneficial to the West India proprietors and the coolie immigrants themselves, and that it therefore ought to be encouraged, so long as those who reap its benefits find it worth while to pay for it. Nor do we see any reason for refusing to St. Lucia or Grenada a share in the benefits of the emigration, if they can procure it. O. 13. I 3 45. But BARBALOS, 64 PAPERS RELATING TO THE BARBADOS. closuº- 45. But, recurring to the inquiry which has elicited this discussion, it appears to us exceedingly doubtful whether the Windward Islands will be able to obtain coolie immigrants, while the wages which they offer (from 10 d. to 1 s. 4d. per day) are so much below what is obtainable in British Guiana or Trinidad. g 46. On this point we would propose to forward to the Acting Emigration Agent at Cal- cutta the information respecting the labourers' advantages in St. Lucia and Grenada, which are contained in the annexed extracts from the Despatches of Mr. Breen and Mr. Kort- -right, and to direct him to report whether it is likely that Indian labourers will be willing to emigrate on these terms, with a full understanding of their import, and if not, to inform us without delay whether they might be induced to do so by any bonus paid to them in hand, or by any reasonable reduction of the period after which a free return passage would be given them. 47. If this course is taken, the Lieutenant Governors of St. Lucia and Grenada should be so informed, in order that they may make up their minds whether the Emigration Agent should be authorised, if necessary, to take any such exceptional means as we have indicated for effecting the commencement of emigration, and the Lieutenant Governor of St. Lucia should, of course, be directed to allot such immigrants as may reach the island to those planters who are ready to give the rate of wages mentioned in the enclosure to his Des- patch of 17th October 1857. -- 48. Without doubting that some of Governor Hincks's proposals respecting the manage- ment of estates in the Windward Islands might be advantageously adopted, we are inclined to doubt whether any good purpose would be answered by any suggestions from the Home Government on points of which the colonists will not unnaturally consider them- selves the best judges. - -- 49. We have not attempted to inquire whether and under what conditions slave labour is cheaper than free, because, on our view of the subject, the propriety of coolie immigration does not depend on this question, but on its positive results in relation to the wellbeing of the immigrants and the prosperity of the planters. We have therefore refrained from troubling Lord Stanley with any observations on a subject on which we do not feel that we have any peculiar means of forming a judgment. - - - 50. We may, however, observe, that Mr. Hincks's Despatches, though they furnish strong ground for believing that sugar is grown more cheaply in Barbados now than under slavery, appear to us to furnish very scanty means for forming a judgment on the points which are really material to the question now at issue. That question is, whether immigration is required in order to enable free labour in the majority of the West Indian Islands to compete with that of slaves; and if this question is to be decided by an inquiry into the expense of growing, the points to be examined appear to us to be the following: 1st, What is now the cost of producing sugar on a well-managed estate, cultivated by slaves, say in Cuba 7 and, 2d, What is now the cost of producing sugar by free labour on an estate equally well managed and equally fertile, where population is scanty, land plentiful, and no immigration under indenture allowed ? 51. But on these two questions Mr. Hincks's Despatches appear to us to furnish very scanty guidance. - We have, &c. Herman Merivale, Esq. T. W. C. Murdoch. &c. &c. &c. Frederic Rogers Sub-Enclosure in Enclosure No. 2. STATEMENT of Wages and other Advantages obtainable by Coolie Immigrants in St. Lucia and Grenada. *.* - ST. LUCIA. THE wages which will be given to immigrants on their arrival are 10 d. a day for women, and for men I s. 4d., if employed in the mill or boiling-house, and 1 s. a day if not so employed. - ExT RACT from Mr. Breen's Despatch of 3d August 1857, to the Governor of the Windward Islands. “The price of necessaries is less subject to fluctuation. Upon this point the annexed Table may be relied on as correct. I should add, however, that in the circumstances of St. Lucia, owing to the extensive provision grounds attached to the different estates, and to the waste land, whether belonging to the Crown or to vacant successions, which an indus- trious labourer may easily convert into provision grounds, the question as to the price of necessaries, especially as regards the articles of food, presents but little difficulty. Another advantage in this respect is derived from the great abundance of fish. On this question I have received from the stipendiary magistrate of the first district a communication con- taining some interesting particulars, extract of which is herewith enclosed. “PRICES WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 65 “PRICES OF NECEss ARIES. S d. … - s. d. Wheat flour, per pint - º - – 11 || Milk, per pint - - tº — — 1 # Corn flour - º cºs º- - – 7 || Coffee, per pound - wº- - 1 1 Cassana farina, per pat - - - 5 || Sugar, per pound — — — — 6 Fresh beef, per pound - g- - – 8 || Salt, per quart - -> * - — — 43 Salf beef - 32 --> º - – 11 || Tobacco, per pound - * - - 1 5 Salt pork- 2 y - - - - - 11 || Rum, per bottle (French) - — — 10 Fresh pork 22 º tº- - – 8 || Oznaburghs, per yard - tºº - — 5 Mutton - 25 º t- - – 8 || Cotton - y - i º - – 4% Salt fish - 25 - º - – 3 Linen - 5 * - - — — 10 Fresh fish , , dºe - - – 4 | Checks – 5 3 - * — — 6 Lard º 39 º - – 1 4 Prints - y? 4- º — — 8 Butter - y 7 tºº - - 1 10 | Shirts - * , - tº - 1 1 0 Rice, per pot, - tº- - - 1 3 Trousers - , ,, tº tº — 1 8 Olive oil, per bottle - *- - 1 6 Hats - 25 - ſº — 1 6 Candles, per pound - - - 1 - | Shoes - 35 - * - - 6 —” Soap º 33 T -> - – 6 ExTRACT of Letter from Mr. Stipendiary Magistrate Jennings to Lieutenant Governor Kortright, dated 29th July 1857. “Having given the information immediately called for, I trust your Excellency will not consider the following observations out of place, and which I forward, as it appears to be your. Excellency’s desire to ascertain the means a coolie when introduced into the Colony would have at his disposal for benefiting himself. “The money wages of the labourers in St. Lucia must be considered as only a part pay- ment for their work; for there is not an estate in this district wherever there are not large quantities of uncultivated land which the labourers working on the estates are permitted to cultivate at pleasure; they are also permitted to keep stock, and many of them, by the means of their gardens, horses, cows and pigs, more than double the amount of their money WageS, ; A proof of the great ease with which a labourer in St. Lucia may not ouly live well, but amass considerable sums of money, is shown by the present condition of numbers of the African immigrants imported into the island in 1849–50. Many of these people are now proprietors of from three to ten acres of fine rich soil, where they keep horses, cows, pigs, &c., in several instances to the number of 12 to 14 heads. Many of the immigrants, to my certain knowledge, were owners of a horse, or one or two cows, before they had been a year relieved from their contracts. “Fish is so abundant, and so easily caught, that a labourer must be more than lazy if he cannot, on almost any evening after he has finished his work, when employed in the field, and should he not go to his garden, contrive to catch enough for the use of himself and family. Crabs, of which the labourers make free use, are obtainable by any one who chooses to look for thena. “Game is also very easily obtained, and affords a source of income to many an industrious l]] a 11. - “In consequence of the foregoing facilities, the agricultural labourer spends very little for his food, except salt fish and salt pork (with the latter he seasons his pot of vegetables), his gardeli providing him with esculents, and his gun or rod with flesh, for which, however, he cares little, except on Sundays, when he generally indulges himself with a small portion of butcher's meat.” G REN ADA. ExTRACTs from Mr. Koi tright’s Despatch of the 7th of August to Governor-in-Chief of Windward Islands, “In stating the rate of wages in Grenada at 10 d. per diem, it appears to have escaped Mr. Caird's notice that Mr. Walker's Despatch of the 6th October 1856, to which he refers in his letter, shows that, in addition to 10 d. per diem, the coolie is entitled to provision grounds of at least one acre. This offers to an industrious man an opportunity of bettering his con- dition to a considerable extent. “The system of taskwork has long been in operation among the native labourers in the island; and when the capabilities of the coolies for labour have become better known here, it will, I have every reason to believe, be extended to them. The creole labourer frequently finishes his task by noon, and generally refuses to undertake a second one, devoting the rest of the day to the cultivation of his own provision ground. It is thus in the power of an industrious man to double his daily wages by a little exertion. * “It appears to me that under the task system the coolie will be placed in a better position than he is in the Mauritius, where his met gain in wages is confessedly only 2 s. 6d. a week, without apparently an opportunity being afforded him of increasing the amount by additional abour. “There are several advantages this island possesses which appear trifling, but which, O. I 3. I 4 nevertheless, 66 PAPERS RELATING TO THE BARBADOs. No. 5. Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. to Governor Hincks. 17 Sept. 1858. * Page 41. 2. Eucl. in No. 5, nevertheless, tend to the comfort of the labourers. Accessibility of markets for the purchase or sale of provisions, the low price of ground provisions, and the abundance of running water, a free use of which I believe the coolies consider of great importance.” ExTRACT from Mr. Kortright's Despatch of 22d October 1857 (No. 61), to Governor of Windward Islands. . - “I am still, however, under the impression that with the advantages possessed by the Indian labourer I'll Grenada, among which I do not reckon as the least the proverbial healthiness, of the island, in consequence of which very few days are lost to the labourer by sickness, he will at the termination of his contract of service have saved more money than in some of the larger Colonies. Ground provisions, such as yams, sweet potatoes, &c. are easily produced, and it is found that the coolie sºon acquires a taste for this description of food. An arrangement has been made with the employers by which the labourers are supplied with the articles of consumption to whiclf they are accustomed at cost price, lice at 2; d. per pound, peas at 2; d. per pound, flour (wheat or corn) at 3 d. per pound, and salt fish, at 3 d. The Immigration Agent, Mr. Cockburn, remarks, ‘ I have reason to believe that already they (the coolies) are Saving money, as Several have stated their wish to deposit part of their earnings with me.’” - — No. 5. — (No. 18.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M.P. y to Governor Hincks. Sir, Downing-street, 17 September 1858. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 10th July, General, No. 3,” in further explanation of your views on the important question of the immigration of labourers into the West India Colonies. I feel it undesirable to prolong a controversy on general questions which will naturally admit of different opinions, and I therefore do not propose, after the communication I am now making, to pursue the correspondence further; but I think it right to put you in possession of the remarks which have been suggested to the Commissioners by your Despatch. I therefore enclose a copy of a report which I called upon them to furnish on the subject. I have to request that you will give effect to the suggestion of the Emigration Commissioners, that the Immigration Agents in St. Lucia and Grenada should be instructed to make inquiries, and to report on the complaint as to the irregularity of the payment in cash of the wages of the immigrants. I have, &c. (signed) E. B. Lytton. Enclosure in No. 5. Sir, s Emigration Office, 28 August 1858. I HAVE to acknowledge your letter of the 16th instant, enclosing a Despatch from the Governor of the Windward Islands, on the subject of coolie immigration. 2. On the 22d of August last Mr. Hincks addressed to the Secretary of State a Despatch containing animadversions both on the principles and on the details of coolie emigration reports; on this Despatch reports were required from Governor Wodehouse, then in this country, and from this Board, and these reports were communicated to Mr. Hincks. The Despatch now forwarded contains his remarks on them. • . 3. In the 26th and following paragraphs of our report, we submitted certain reasons for thinking that although the expenses of immigration should principally, and as a general rule, be thrown on those who benefited by it, yet the circumstances there mentioned justified the Government in viewing this “rather as a principle to be steadily kept in view, than as a rule to be inflexibly enforced.” Mr. Hincks (paragraph 3 to i3) thinks that it should be inflexibly enforced, as otherwise there “would be no settled policy on the subject, and it would be left in a great degree to local Legislatures, composed chiefly of planters who have a direct pecuniary interest in the question to regulate the terms on which emigration should be permitted.” 4. On the substance of this question I can only refer to the arguments adduced in our previous report. With regard ... Hincks's present objection, it appears to me that a policy may be, and that good policy frequently is quite settled, and yet very elastic. I imagine that the policy of the Government with regard to the raising of immigration funds is of this kind. It is required that the cost of an immigration, which is primarily to benefit the planters, should be mainly defrayed by payments levied from them, or taxes falling on them. But, this WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 67 this being secured, it has not been thought necessary to interfere with a Colonial scheme of BARBADOS. taxation, because under it a fraction of the expenses of immigration would fall, not on the -- " - sinking class of planters, but on the very thriving class of labourers or small proprietors. The details of Colonial taxation are matters best known in the Colonial Department, but I appre- hend that by these means substantial.justice is in fact done, without (in the usual phrase) “bearing too hardly” on an interest which has so much difficulty in supporting itself. 5. But Mr. Hincks is desirous (arts. 9, 10) that the expense of immigration should be wholly thrown not only on the classes bênéfited by it, but on the individuals receiving immigrants; alleging that by the contrary course a tax is imposed on good managers who do not require immigrants, for the benefit of bad managers who do. But this appears to me quite a question to be left to the local Legislatures. There is a primá facie reason for supposing that the introduction of immigrants benefits all employers in common, if not equally, by making labour more plentiful, and therefore cheaper. Wherever this is not the case, the planters who do not need immigration, being fully represented in the Legislature, should fight their own battle there. . It is only on behalf of the unrepresented or imperfectly represented classes, I apprehend, that the Secretary of State would feel himself called on to interfere, and certainly he does not appear to be called upon to impose unpopular obstacles to a popular prºject, in order to protect a class of persons who may not exist, and certainly do not invite his protection in any of the legitimate modes which, if they desire it, are open to them. º # 6. I do not see that I could be of any use by entering on the controversy respecting the relative position of the creole labourers in St. Lucia and Barbados, or various other points in which Mr. Hincks is at issue with Mr. Wodehouse (para. 14-24), nor respecting those reforms on the tenure of land (para. 26–32) which can only be carried into effect by con- vincing proprietors of land that such reforms will “pay,” a task in which the Secretary of State could give little assistance to the Governor. Perhaps, however, (without claiming much importance for the observation) I may be allowed to point out that if the comparatively dependent labourer in Barbados is really better off than the comparatively independent labourers of St. Lucia and Grenada, that fact would favour the common allegation that the labouring class would itself ultimately benefit by such an increase to the population as would bring it under the more effectual control of European managers. 7. With regard to the expediency of arresting emigration unless the labourers are paid regularly in cash (para. 25) I have to state that the agreements of all coolie immigrants stipulate for such payment, and that the immigration law gives the magistrate full power to enforce it. This law of course can only be set in motion on the complaint of the labourer. But the Immigration Agents in St. Lucia and Grenada might be directed during their periodical inspections to make special inquiries on this head from immigrant labourers; to enforce the law rigidly wherever it was invoked; and to report the amount to which, as far as they can ascertain, the wages of immigrant labourers are allowed to fall into arrear. Their reports would furnish more satisfactory grounds for further action than any general allegation. - - 8. The rest of the Despatch (para. 35–70) appears to be intended (para. 33) to furnish the means of judging whether free labour is as cheap as that of slaves; and so “whether immigration is required in order to enable free labour in the majority of the West Indian Islands to compete with that of slavery.” 9. Mr. Hincks assumes (para. 60) that, since property fetches a high price in Barbados, that Island “can compete in the production of sugar with any country in the world, whether the cultivation is carried on by slave or free labour;” and he argues at length (para. 36 et seq.) that the prosperity of Barbados compared with that of other West Indian Colonies, is not owing to its abundant population but to the superiority of its management. It follows, of course, that with improved management any other British Colony in the West Indies would be equally or (as the land is richer) more able to compete with Cuba and Brazil. 10. I should be merely wasting Sir E. Bulwer Lytton's time if I were to attempt to examine Mr. Hincks' proof of his second thesis. I have not the practical knowledge of West Indian cultivation which alone would enable me to understand whether calculations of this kind did or did not represent the complete and substantial truth. I must confess, however, that they seem to me, as far as I understand them, insufficient to get rid of the broad ſact which meets the eye on the first glance at the West Indian Colonies. In some of these Colonies wages are high ; in..sone comparatively low ; in some they are paid regularly, in some irregularly; in soune (as British Guiana) the proprietors are keen and enterprising, in others they are slack; but I believe in all important Colonies, except one, complaints are (or till lately were) made of the impossibility of securing continuous and sufficient labour, and of the ruinous cost of cultivation, involving the absolute abandonment of numerous estates, which it was found impossible either to cultivate with profit or to sell. And the single Colony which differed from the rest in being able to hold its own, differed also from them in the circumstances to which they referred their misfortunes. The population was so large in comparison to its land, that employment was a favour conferred not on the master by the servant, but on the servant by the master; and it was thus possible for the latter to require his labourer to attend regularly to his work, and to obey orders when he did attend. 11. It seems to me that scarcely any array of calculations would suffice to prove that these two facts did not stand to each other in the relation of cause and effect, and that the commercial prosperity of Barbados did not consequently arise from its abundant labouring population. e O. l 3. - K § 12. But 68 - PAPERS RELATING TO THE BARBADOS. No. 6. Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. to Governor Hincks. 10 Nov. 1858. * Page 51. 12. But even if Mr. Hincks' calculations are sufficient for this purpose, I must observe that it does not follow because Barbados is prosperous in spite of Cuba, in a market which is at present large enough for both of them, that Barbados can therefore “compete with,” i. e. grow sugar as cheaply as Cuba. Profits may be high in one Island, and yet higher in the other, and if this is the case (of which Mr. Hincks furnishes no proof or disproof) there would remain no reason for inferring (however much we may wº to infer it) that free labour was as cheap as that of slaves. 13. It is no doubt probable that many of Mr. Hincks' observations respecting the bad management of West Indian estates are true. Large salaries paid to unintelligent managers (and I may add large profits allowed to merchants and agents); irregularity in paying wages; a preference of day-work to task-work; want of capital; a non-resident proprietary; want of genuine interest in the labouring class, must all (like want of population) be elements of failure. Possibly, the confusion of rent with wages, and the disinclination to grant land on lease, may be similarly ill-judged. But I should fear that any instruction on these subjects proceeding from the Colonial Office to the West Indies would be looked upon as impractical; and that any authoritative interference (such as that of making reform a condition of immigration) could not be relied upon for doing any good, while by exciting resentment, it would certainly do some harm. 14. Nor do I think that the Home Government could secure itself from the risk of serious errors, involving, if they occurred, much discredit, if it adopted the responsibility of com- pelling the West Indian proprietors to cultivate their land on a system decided upon in this country. I have, &c. Herman Merivale, Esq. (signed) Frederic Rogers. &c. &c. &c. - — No. 6. — (No. 23.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M. P. to Governor Hincks. Sir, Downing-street, 10 November 1858. I HAVE received your Despatch, No. 55,” of the 25th September last, forwarding an article from the Barbados “Liberal,” on the subject of the present tenure of lands and houses held by the labouring classes in the West Indies. In reply, I have to state that I will give directions for the printing of this Despatch, and its enclosure, as supplementary to the Blue Book Report. I may add, that the question concerning the tenure of the labourers' cottages and provision grounds, and of the separation of rent and wages, formed, for many years after emancipation, one of the most prominent subjects of discussion between this Department and the local authorities of the West Indian Colonies, and the progress which might be made in each Colony in procuring a conformity to the views of the Government on the part of the planters, was one of the subjects on which the stipendiary magistrates were for many years required to make half-yearly Reports. I transmit for your information a copy of the printed volume of Abstracts of these Reports. 3 I have, &c. (signed) E. B. Lytton. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 69 G R E N A T) A. Despatches from Governor. — No. 1. — GRENADA. (No. 31.) & - No. 1. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable Governor Hincks H. Labouchere, M. P. to the Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M.P. Windward Islands, Barbados, 24 August 1857. 24 August 1857. Sir, (Received, 14th September 1857.) & I HAVE the honour to transmit to you the copy of a Despatch from Lieu- tenant Governor Kortright, enclosing a return of the coolie immigrants per s2 $ºst, ship “Maidstone” who have died since the 1st May last. `i; - I have, &c. te, (signed) F. Hincks. Enclosure in No. 1. Encl. in No. 1. (No. 48.) Sir, & Government Office, Grenada, 7 August 1857. I HAVE the honour to transmit to you a return of the coolie immigrants arrived in the S g tº * * * * ub- ship “Maidstone " who have died since the 1st May last. & *... No fresh cases of sickness have occurred since they have been landed here; the mortality sº has been confined to those who were labouring under disease at the time of their disem- barkation from the “Maidstone.” 2. The Immigration Agent remarks that no property has been left by the deceased. I have, &c. His Excellency Governor Hincks, (signed) C. H. Kortright. Barbados. Sub-Enclosure. RETURN of DEATHS of INDIAN IMMIGRANTs, arrived from Calcutta in the Ship “Maidstone,” Escott, Commander, on 1st May 1857. Adults. Children. Infants. * Ç lc Grenada | Calcutta N A MI E S. ESTATES’ NAME. ſº 5 || 3 |Date of Death. - Number. Number. wº # o, {º c; º | | E | Gº || 5 || 3 || 3 | tº Died in Depôt before Distribution : 1857 : 51 72 Essur - e tº tº I gº dº gº tºº - || 1 || – || – | – | – | – || 1 || 2 May 234 308 Narrow * * > tº tº * gº tºº gº º ºs 1 * | * * * * = I 8 × 209 272 | Dhurmee - º gºs I tºº tºº eºs º ºs - | – || 1 || – | – || – | – || 1 || 3 , 131 182 || Nundos - gºe tº tº tº º gº - || 1 || – || – | – || – || – || 1 || 4 , 193 261 || Toolseyram tºº tº sº {-º tºº tºº - || 1 || – || – || – || – || – || 1 || 5 , 1 10 154 || Mohit - - - || - - - - - || 1 || – | – || – | – | – || 1 || 7 , Carried forward - - - || 4 2 | – | – || – – | 6 | O. 13. º IK 2 70 - PAPERS RELATING TO THE Adults. Children. Infants. Grenada | Calcutta TN A M E S. ESTATES NAME. d a; Date of Death. Number. Number. ri # o; & 33 "tº : § | 3 | # E | 3 || 5 || 8 >| || 3: ſº | 3 || 3 || 3 || 3: Brought forward - - - || 4 || 2 | – || – || – || – || 6 Died in Depôt after Distribution: ** I 1857 : 152 207 || Rauidhoney tº - || Marli - gº tº - || 1 || – || – | – | – || – || 1 || 7 May 175 236 | Sonaton - ſº - || Grand Bacolet - - || 1 | – | – | – | – | – || 1 || 8 9, 149 203 || Ramdin - º - || Mount William - - || 1 | – | – | – | – | – || 1 || 8 , 3 | – | – | – | – | – | 8 Died in Colony Hospital: - || -- L- || – • 121 169 || Mahomed Alley - - | Conference - tº - || 1 || – || – | – || – || – || 1 || 15 May. . 22 31 Bhokeydhur gº - || Grand Bacolet - - || 1 | – | – | – | – | – || 1 | 19 × * 2 tºº — — — — 2 Died on the respective Estates: =ºs A- 221 288 || Korwar gº tº - || Grand Bacolet - - || – || 1 | – | – | – | – || 1 | 18 May. 219 286 Kadum - - - | - ditto - - | – || 1 | – | – | – | – || 1 | 16 , 175 237 | Sonaton - - - || - ditto - - | 1 – | – | – | – || 1 | 16 ×, 282 tº - || Oogollah - tº tº dº ditto gºe tº º gº sºme . * ass=== tº I 1 | 20 June. 38 25 | Bissessur - tºº - I - ditto sº . . I | – | – | – | – | – || 1 | 80 , 2 agº. g=e *s I 5 244 320 Kookming - tº e - | Crochu tº gº as * I | – || – || – | – || 1 I 89 256 Sawah sº * . - | Carriere sº wº tº I •- || " I = | * * I 20 May. 104 147 | Lotan - - - I - ditto - - - | 1 | – | – | – | – | – || 1 | 18 June. 2 | – | – | – | – | – | 2 249 328 | Sham - dº & º - || Belmont - tº - | – || 1 | – | – | – | – || 1 | 12 May. 25 34 || Bhowar - - - - ditto º tº - | 1 || – — | – | – || 1 || 8 June. 39 54 Kannoo - tº - I - ditto wº gº - | 1 | – || – – | – || 1 | 11 º' 2 I * tºº * - º 3 84 120 Thuigoory - gºe - || Mount Rose tºº sº tº sº gººse – | – || 1 || 13 May. 214 280 Ikeesabiea - tº - I - ditto - sº { } I q- – | – | – || 1 || 25 June. 1 || 1 || – | – | – | – | 2 1 I 15 Boodha - tº - || Mount Reuil gºe - || 1 | – | – | – | – | – || 1 | 11 May 261 343 Holeemuth - tº º - I - ditto - & - | – | – || 1 | – | – | – || 1 | 16 , 95 134 || Kurmanlly - º - I - ditto - sº gº l — – | – | – || 1 | 18 , l 18 166 || Munmoo – tº - I - ditto - tº - || 1 | – | – | – | – | – || 1 | 8] 2, 3 $º 1. $ºmº tºº gº 4 195 263 tº E. - - - iChambord - º tº I — | – | – | – | – || 1 || 25 May. T 140 193 | Poonye gº ę - Slain - tº ºn - || 1 | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | 16 2, 129 1 S() Nowbuth - dº - | Lafortune - * = . ge J. tºº gº tºg -º-, tº- I | 11 2, 4 7 | Banluck - - - | Snell Hall - - - || 1 || – | – | – || – | – || 1 | * * 142 195 || Persand - ſº - || Mount William - - || 1 | – | – | – | – | - || 1 || 9 2, 7 10 Budree tºº. &=º - | Duquesne - &º tºº I * * ſº * sº I 29 , - TOTAL - - - || 25 || 7 || 1 || – | – || 1 || 34 * Most of these cases were chronic dysentery, diarrhoea, fever, and debility; and all died without leaving any property. f: (signed) Y, Cockburn, . - Grenada, 1 July 1857. - Immigration Agent, WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 7. — No. 2. — (No. 38.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. Windward Islands, Barbados, 16 Ocſober 1857. (Received, 16 November 1857.) Sir, (Answered, No. 95, 16 January 1858, p. 99.) I HAVE the honour to transmit to you the copy of a Despatch from Lieu- tenant Governor Kortright, being in reply to your Despatch of the 15th August 1857, on the subject of the arrangements for sending coolies to the West Indies. I have, &c. (signed.) F. Hincks. Enclosure in No. 2. Sir, Government Office, Grenada, 9 October 1857. IN reply to your Despatch of the 8th September, No. 122, covering copy of a Despatch from the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, on the subject of the arrangements for sending coolie labourers to the West India Colonies during the forthcoming season, I have the honour to inform you that a large portion of the expense for this service will, I fear, have to be met out of the Imperial guaranteed loan. The local immigration fund at our disposal amounted, on the 30th September last, to 427 l. ...” I have, &c. His Excellency Governor Hincks, (signed) C. H. Kortright. Barbados. — No. 3. — (No. 41.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. º Windward Islands, Barbados, 9 November 1857. Sir, (Received, 3 December 1857.) In my Despatch of this day’s date, St. Lucia, No. 57f Executive, and in my Despatches to Mr. Breen, which accompany it, I have explained at some length my views on the labour question generally, and I shall therefore confine myself on the present occasion to such points as have special reference to the Colony of Grenada, and to my correspondence with Lieutenant Governor Kortright, on the subject of your Despatch of the 12th June last, and its enclosures. 2. The rate of wages in Grenada is at present the same as St. Lucia, Bar- bados, and I believe St. Vincent, viz., 10 d. per diem. In all these Colonies I have little doubt that 1 S. is frequently given, especially to men. The coolie rate in Grenada is 10 d., and in addition, he enjoys the advantage of medical attend- ance and medicines, lodging, and provision grounds of one acre. Mr. Kortright states, that in Guiana and Trinidad, provision grounds are not granted, and evidantly attaches some importance to that circumstance. On the other hand, I have been assured that in Guiana a plot of ground is always gladly conceded to the coolies when required. 3. Task-work prevails generally in Grenada, and Mr. Kortright describes the task to be one which can be finished by noon. At present the coolies are not permitted to work by the task, though Mr. Kortright has little doubt that when their capabilities become known, the system will be extended to them. 4. It appears that in Grenada the resident estate labourers obtain 9 d. per diem, the non-residents 10 d., and on some estates both receive alike. The non-resident creole labourer only receives the wages of the coolie, without house or medical attendance, and the resident in some instances less. It is manifest, that the acre O. 1 3. - R 3 of GRENADA. No. 2. Governor Hincks to the Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M.P. 16 October 1857. º: 9 Octoba. ... " inclosure. Encl. in No. 2. No. 3. Governor Hincks to the Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M.P. 9 November 1857. + Page 24, |E Encl `ºsure 4. &ar. 4. `--~. 72 t PAPERS RELATING TO THE G. RENADA. sºmºrºs. Y’ 2Yºu" 9. geº- of provision ground is estimated as either of no value at all, or at that of 1 d. a day, or 5 d. per week, which is the Barbados rate for a quarter of an acre. My belief is, that when labourers are allowed to have three or four acres in cultiva- tion, the land is situated generally at a considerable distance from the estate buildings, and high up on the slopes of the hills which border the valleys in which the sugar cultivation is carried on. This is not an unimportant fact, as the labourer loses a great deal of time in travelling to his distant provision grounds, and nothing but necessity will induce him to continue such an arrangement. The whole system of mixing up the questions of rent and wages is, as I have else- where stated, vicious in the extreme; it has been one of the principal causes of all the West Indian difficulties with regard to labour, and yet with the exception of Barbados, so far as my knowledge extends, it generally prevails. - 5. I have no further remark to offer on the subject of the rate of wages beyond this, that the planters of St. Lucia have declared their willingness to raise them to 1 S. per day, while those in Grenada have not signified any such intention, and the next cargo will, I presume, be indentured on the same terms as the last. 6. I shall proceed to consider the relative cost of sugar cultivation in Bar- bados and Grenada, which ought to influence materially the rate of wages. It is much to be regretted that such unwillingness is manifested by the planters in these Colonies, with the exception of those in Barbados, to furnish statistical information. But while I should have been glad to have obtained several par- ticulars, for which I applied to Mr. Kortright, I am enabled with the materials before me, to institute such a comparison as will be sufficient for the object which I have in view. E. - 7. In my Despatch to Mr. Kortright of the 14th August, No. 117, I furnished him with a statement of the cost of producing sugar in this Island, where the cultivation is so profitable, that the value of property has reached a point higher, probably, than land used for raising an agricultural staple would sell for in any other part of the world. 8. This statement was made from the published returns of two agricultural societies in this Island, the members of which are resident practical planters; they have furnished the items of the cost in detail, and these have been fully discussed and criticised. 9. I was anxious to obtain a similar return from the planters in other Colonies, that the true cause of the prosperity of Barbados might be made apparent, and that the accuracy of the very loose, though current remark, that it is to be ascribed solely to its command of labour, might be tested. 10. Mr. Kortright in his reply has referred me to a schedule of the total expenses of working six estates in Grenada, for a period of seven years, appended by Mr. Walker to his supplementary Report in the Grenada Blue Book for 1855, and he has ascertained that this is considered to be “a fair criterion by which to judge of the cost of cultivating the majority of the estates in this Island; some few, however, consider the estimate high.” I shall therefore assume that the schedule in question is the most accurate return available from Grenada, and I shall contrast it with that of Barbados. 11. The heads of expenses are arranged differently in the two returns. There is no such item in the Barbados account as “European Supply,” and, unless when new machinery is required from England, I cannot conceive what articles would be included under that head, the cost of which would even approach to that stated. With regard to machinery, Mr. Kortright calls attention to the fact, that during the seven years included in the Grenada return, two of the estates were furnished with new iron water-wheels, and one with a new steam- engine and mill. In the Barbados estimate, an ample allowance is made for the wear and tear of machinery, as well as for loss upon stock, the former item being 650 dollars per annum upon a small estate, and this allowance spread over the seven years of the Grenada return, would have more than met the extra charges for new machinery referred to by Mr. Kortright. 12. It will be found, however, that three of the Grenada estates had no new machinery, and the years in which the others incurred this extra expense, are indicated. What then are the articles embraced under the head of “European Supply?” Having no data to enable me to reply, I shall content myself with remarking that this very item has long been considered in this Island to cover much wasteful expenditure. The Barbados planter obtains his supplies º º Sla Il WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 73 Island as he requires them, and at much less cost than is done in Grenada, judg- ing from the return, -" .* 13. The cost of wages, strange as the fact may appear, is $ 1.44 per 100 lbs. in Grenada, and $ 1:76 in Barbados, which would be 1 l. 2 s. 8d. difference in the cost of a hogshead of sugar. This is not adverted to by Mr. Kortright, who has not analysed the items of which the cost is made up. Taking my own reduced estimate of the cost of production in Barbados, which I have no doubt is correct, Mr. Kortright shows that the expense in Grenada is greater by 2 l. 9s. 10; d. per hogshead. You will observe, that errors in the figures have been corrected in two places. I am not disposed to admit the justice of this comparison, as I am persuaded that the Grenada schedule is as much too high as the Barbados one, and this is admitted by some Grenada planters. The only fair mode of instituting a comparison is by taking the statements of the planters themselves in both Colonies. The fact then is, that the average of the Grenada estates, which is 13 l. 15 S. l I d. per hogshead, is as near as possible to that of the Barbados planters, it being 5 d. per bogshead more than the estimate of one society, and 2s. I d. per hogshead less than that of the other. I may here explain, that Mr. Kortright has fallen into an error in supposing that I estimated the net weight of the Barbados hogshead at 17 cwt., which he assigns to those of Grenada. My estimate was 1,700 lbs., which is little over 15 cwt., and I have been assured on good authority, that the average net weight in Lon- don will not exceed this. The Grenada hogsheads will certainly not weigh more than those of Barbados. This misconception does not in the least affect the calculations, and I merely advert to it to prevent misconception. 14. The cost of wages is less in Grenada, as I have already stated. There is an immense difference in the salaries paid to attornies and managers. The pro- prietors of Grenada are chiefly absentees, which may account for the excess under this head. In Barbados, the cost of salaries averages I l. 9s. 2d. per hogshead; in Grenada, 3 l. 14s. 11 d., indeed, on one of the estates, the salaries were 5 l. 0s. 6d. per hogshead, while the labourers' wages were only 6 l. 0 s. 6 d. 15. It is out of my power to analyse the expenditure further, owing to the want of detailed information from Grenada. Foreign manure is a heavy item in Barbados, but is invariably purchased on the spot. Unless included in “Eng- lish Supplies,” it is not to be found in the Grenada account: and I much doubt its having been used. Skilled workmen, such as the coppersmith, blacksmith, plumber, millwright, wheelwright, carpenter, and mason, cost about 16 S. per hogs- head in Barbados. They are probably included under the head “ Incidentals” in Grenada. About 2 l. per hogshead is estimated for loss on stock, and wear and tear of machinery in Barbados, and this is doubtless much more than the actual expenditure in Grenada. 16. To sum up the chief items which raise the cost of sugar in Grenada, are the heavy disbursements for salaries and for articles comprised under “European Supply;” while Barbados appears to pay more under the head of wages to labourers, probably owing to the fact, that ratooning can be carried on in Grenada to a considerable extent. 17. The Grenada estates, with one exception, averaged over 100 hogsheads of sugar, and, except during the period of the greatest depression in the sugar mar- ket, might have been conducted with profit. I must draw your particular atten- tion to the fact, that the interest on invested capital in Barbados is about 9 l. per hogshead. This is a moderate estimate, being 6 per cent. on the market value of estates. The charge in Grenada, estimated in the same way, would be under 2 l. I particularly referred to this charge on the Barbados planter in my Despatch to Mr. Kortright, No. 117, but he has not noticed the point in his reply, and there can be no doubt that the fact is indisputable. Interest on capital having been excluded from the calculation of the cost of production, it follows, that the Grenada planter has an advantage of 7 l. per hogshead over the Barbados one, which is more than the entire cost of labour. 18. Mr. Kortright admits that he cannot defend the system of management or of agriculture pursued in Grenada, and states that it is “ too true that there is a great misapplication of labour.” He attributes this unsatisfactory state of affairs to the fact that the bulk of the property of the Island is in the hands of absentee proprietors, and I am of opinion that this has been one of the principal causes of the retrogression of the Colony. O. 13. K 4 19. It G RENADA. * ***** 74 PAPERS RELATING TO THE GR ENADA. 19. It appears that implemental husbandry does not exist in Grenada, whereas it is now very generally practised in Barbados. It certainly seems extraor- dinary that labour should be more economised in the Colony where it is abundant, than elsewhere. - 20. Mr. Kortright estimates the population, which is available for came culti- vation in Grenada, at 6,000. He also cites the opinion of a gentleman of very …~" Encl. 1, in No. 3. lºncl. 2, in No. 3. great experience and intelligence, who estimates that out of a population of 28,000, 4,500 to 5,000 work continually on sugar plantations. I am thoroughly convinced that the estimated number of labourers in Grenada should produce double the quantity of sugar that is exported. ... I have considered this subject fully in my St. Lucia correspondence, and shall here content myself with affirm- ing that the well-directed labour of 4,800 persons should be sufficient for the production of 12,000 hogsheads of sugar. - 21. I readily subscribe to Mr. Kortright's opinion that in Trinidad, and I would add in Barbados, “the principle of economising labour is better under- stood than in Grenada; ” but I am further persuaded that economy never will be practised so long as cheap coolie labour shall be supplied to the planters. 22. Though I am of opinion that the rate of wages in Grenada is insufficient, and that free labour might be attracted from Barbados if adequate inducements were held out, you will have gathered from my Despatches that I attach infi- nitely more importance to the tenure of the labourers’ holdings, which is the root of all West Indian evils. r 23. In my Despatch to Lieutenant Governor Kortright, No. 117, pars. 25 and 26, I have exaggerated the increased cost of coolie labour, owing to my having been under the impression that the Colony was liable to furnish return passages to the labourers after an industrial residence of five years. If I am not mistaken, such was at one time the state of the law in some of the Colonies. Owing to accidental causes to which it is unnecessary to refer, I could not obtain a copy of the Grenada Immigration Act, when I first had the subject under con- sideration, but a subsequent reference to it has convinced me that I have over- estimated the cost of coolie labour, and that 3 d. to 4 d. per diem, beyond that of the creole, would be more correct. The argument is not weakened by this error. 24. In conclusion, I have to report that in my opinion the rate of wages in Grenada ought at least to be I S. 3 d. per diem, and that it is dealing hardly with the resident population to expose them to the competition of what must be termed compulsory labour, at all events, until wages have reached such a point as would indicate a deficiency of supply. I have, &c. (signed) F. Hincks. Enclosure l, in No. 3. (113.) Sir, Windward Islands, Barbados, 7 July 1857. I Have the honour to transmit to you the copy of a Despatch from the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, forwarding a report from the Emigration Commis- sioners accompanying a letter from Mr. Caird, E i.igration Agent at Calcutta, on the subject of the treatment of coolie immigrants. & I have, &c. His Excellency (signed) F. Hincks. Lieutenant Governor Kortright, Grenada. Enclosure 2, in No. 3. Sir, Government Office, Grenada, 7 August 1857. RePERRING to your ()espatch, No. 113 of the 7th July, covering copy of a Despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and a report from the Emigration Commissioners, accompanying a letter from Mr. Caird, Emigration Agent at Calcutta, respecting the rate of wages paid to coolies in the several British Colonies, I have the honour to inform you that the question raised by Mr. Caird appearing to me to be a very important one, not only with regard to the coolie labourers, but as involving a total change in the rate of labourers' wages. in Grenada. I have laid the several documents before the Executive Council, in order to avail myself of their experience on the subject of the labour market. . * * 2. There west INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS, 75 2. There is no doubt that it would be highly impolitic to allow the coolies at the time of their engagements in India to entertain any false impressions as to the remuneration they are to receive for their services in Grenada, and, as a matter of course, they will prefer emigrating to the Colony which holds out to them the best prospect of high wages. 3. In stating the rate of wages in Grenada at 10 d. per diem, it appears to have escaped Mr. Caird's notice, that Mr. Walker's Despatch of the 6th October 1856, to which he refers in his letter, shows that in addition to 10 d. per diem, the coolie is entitled to “provision- grounds of at least one acre.” This is an advantage which he does not possess in Trinidad or British Guiana, and offers to an industrious man an opportunity of bettering his condition to a considerable extent. 4. The system of task-work has long been in operation among the native labourers in this Island; and when the capabilities of the coolies for labour have become better known here, it will, I have reason to believe, be extended to them. The creole labourer frequently finishes his task by moon, and generally refuses to undertake a second one, devoting the rest of the day to the cultivation of his own provision-ground. It is thus in the power of an industrious man to double his daily wages by a little additional exertion. - 5. It appears to me that under the task system the coolie will be placed in a better position than he is in the Mauritius, where his net gain in wages is confessedly only 2s. 6d. a week, without apparently an opportunity being afforded him of increasing the amount by additional labour. 6. An increase in the rate of wages of the coolies would involve a change with respect to the remuneration of the creole labourers, and I am not prepared to state at present whether the planters will consider it to their advantage to adopt such a course. As it is, the coolie is better off than the native labourer, who has neither house nor medical attend- ance provided for him. - 7. There are several advantages this Island possesses over Trinidad and British Guiana which appear trifling, but which nevertheless tend to the comfort of the labourers, accessi- bility of markets for the purchase or sale of provisions, the low price of ground provisions, and the abundance of running water, a free use of which I believe the coolies consider of great importance. I have, &c. His Excellency Governor Hincks, (signed) C. H. Kortright. Barbados. - Enclosure 3, in No. 3. (No. 1 17.) Windward Islands, Barbados, Sir, 14 August 1857. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 7th instant, No. 47, Executive, containing your observations on Mr. Caird's letter on the subject of the rate of wages paid to coolie labourers in the several British Colonies, 2. There can be no doubt that the question raised by Mr. Caird is one of deep importance, and you acted most wisely in laying all the documents before your Executive Council, and in availing yourself of their experience in the labour market. 3. I fear very much that the explanations which you have offered in the Despatch before me will be considered anything but satisfactory, either by the Indian Government or by the Secretary of State; and I think that the time has arrived when it would be no longer proper for me to withhold the expression of the opinions which I have formed on the labour question of the West Indies, and which are the result of much deliberation, and founded on well authenticated facts. & 4. Your Despatch has strengthened my previous conviction that the policy which the Grenada planters have hitherto pursued is a most ruinous one for themselves. 5. I am well aware how difficult it is to convince the employers of labour that it is their interest to raise the rate of wages, and I cannot say that in the present instance I have the faintest hope of success. 6. But I am bound, not less by my duty to Her Majesty than by a most sincere desire to promote the best interests of the planters of Grenada, to state candidly the opinions which I have formed. 7. The current rate of wages in Grenada is 10d. a day, which is the Barbados rate, though here it is frequently 1s., and in British Guiana it is, I believe, not less than 1s. 6d. I have been repeatedly assured that the planters in Grenada, St. Vincent, and St. Lucia cannot afford to raise the rate of wages. I do not desire, in discussing this question, to base my opinions on the high price of sugar which has ruled for some time back, and which ma be treated as exceptional, but rather on what may be considered an average price estimated fairly with reference to the cost of production. 8. I find that in Barbados the actual cost of delivering sugar on the wharf may be fairly estimated at $5. 16, or 21 s. 6d. per 100 lbs., which would make the cost of a hogshead of 1,700 lbs., met, 18 l; 5s, 6d, sterling. This cost includes, as it of course ought to do, fair interest on the capital invested in buildings and land. - O. 1 3. L 9. I proceed G RENADA. * Encl. 3, in No. 3. 76 - PAPERS RELATING TO THE * GRENA DA. 9. I proceed to analyse the items of which this cost price is made up ; — It consists then of wages per 100 lbs., equal to - - $ 1 76 0 Salaries - tº - - - - 0 41 1 te Manures - * º * - - 0 29 4 Taxes - - *- tº- - – 0 08 8 Maintenance of stock - - - 0 || 7 6 Carriage to market, stores, provisions, lumber, casks, skilled workmen, wear and tear of buildings and machinery 1 24 1 •-r- - $ 3 97 0 Deduct value of offil crop - - tº- — 1 35 0 2 62 () º Add interest on capital invested in lands and buildings - º --> -> • • * - 2 54 0 $ 5 16 0 10. The liata on which this statement is made, I can thoroughly rely on as giving the maximum cost of the cultivation of sugar in Barbados. They have been obtained from the reports of two agricultural societies, consisting of experienced planters; and where those societies differed in opinion, I took the highest figure given by either, so that my estimate exceeds theirs. I further compared those estimates with actual balance-sheets of the opera- tions ºf a year on well-conducted estates, and I have tested their accuracy in various other ways. * e . 11. Those calculations were made some years ago, and I am convinced that they are excessive, or rather that during the interval which has since elapsed, greater economy has been introduced into the management of sugar estates in this Island. 12. That I am correct in this assention, would not be disputed in Barbados. At $ 3. 97. per 100 lbs., less allowance for offal $ 1. 35., the hogshead weighing 1,700 Ihs, would cost without allowance for interest, $ 44, 54., or 9 l. 5 s. 7 d., and this is much too high. 13. My own belief is, that at least 20 per cent. may be deducted from the aggregate charges, which would- reduce the cost of the hogshead of Sugar, exclusive of interest, and after giving credit for the offal crºp, to $ 31. 30., or 6 ſ. 10 s. 5 d. per had. The value of the rum (40 c. per gallon), molasses (20 c. per gallon), and provisions as above stated, is in accordance with the estimates of the agricultural societies, and though very much below the prices which have lately ruled in this market, would be $ 22. 95. per hd., or 4 l. 17 s. 8d.,” which added to 6 ſ. 10 s. 5 d, gives 11 l. 8s. 1 d.f. as the cost of a hogshead of sugar, including the offal crop; and this, it will be generally admitted, is the full average cost. 14. I have been particular in these explanations because, on the one hand, I have deter- mined to understate my case, and have therefore taken the highest estimates I could find of the cost of producing sugar even when made with less economy than at present; while, on - the other hand, I have desired to guard myself from the imputation of ignorance of the real cost of production. The value of the offal crop is of course subject to constant fluctuation, and the cost of production per 100 lbs. must depend on the seasons. It may therefore be proper to explain that the expenses are the cost of working an estate having about 120 acres of cane land, 60 in canes and 60 in preparation, and which, according to my estimate, would yield 100 hlids. of sugar, though in a very ſavourable season 120 would be obtained, and in an unfavourable one perhaps not more than 80, or occasionally even less. - • 15. Having now laid fully before you the cost of the production of sugar in Barbados, it remains for me to consider what it ought to cost in Grenada. There are many points in which that Colony has the advantage over Barbados, especially | I] the land requiring less foreign manure, which is becoming more and more expensive, and in the cost of moulding. I shall not, however, urge any deduction on this account. . In the items of lumber, provision, casks, wear and tear of machinery, maintenance of stock, Grenada does not labour under any disadvantage. The advantage of Barbados is generally said to consist in its abundance of labour; but, in point of fact, wages are fully as high, if not higher, in this colony than in Grenada, while the capital invested is five times greater. The official returns too show that, in proportion to the number of estates, Grenada has a larger quantity of land in canes than Barbados. * © - & 16. The effect of such high prices as have lately been obtained for sugar would in most countries have produced a corresponding increase in the rate of wages; but in Barbados, owing to the density of the population, the advance has fallen on real estate, which has in consequence materially risen in price, In the other Colonies, where labour is scarce and land abundant and cheap, wages, and not land, ought to benefit by the advance in the price of sugar. - & , º * * * 17. The Grenada planter being at much less charge for the interest on capital, which is $ 2.54, per 100 lbs. in Barbados, and certainly not more than 50 c. per 100 lbs, in Grenada, could afford to give 1 s. 6d. per day for labour, and still, cultivate sugar much more economically than the Barbados planter, even admitting, which I am willing to do, that his offal crop would be less valuable. - * Should be 4!. 158.7% d. t Should be 1 I l. 6s. – d. 2 18. Some WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 77 18. Some other cause then must be sought for to account for the great prosperity of the planters in Barbados, and I have no hesitation in affirming that it is owing partly to their agricultural skill which has enabled them, under many disadvantages, to prosecute cultivation successfully, but mainly to their judicious treatment of the labouring classes, which stands out in bold relief as an example to the West Indies. 19. It is indeed a most remarkable fact that in this Island where, owing to the super- abundauce of the population, the price of labour has been kept at a nominally low rate; and where land is both scarce and dear, the labouring classes are on the whole so well off that they cannot be tempted to emigrate. . 20. I attribute this, in a great degree, to the liberality of the planters. They are unable to rent much land to their labourers, but they have encouraged them in industrial pursuits, and thus the labourer has obtained indirect advantages much greater than his mere wages. 21. Thus the labourers raise a large portion of the young cane plants which are bought from them by their employers. They are encouraged to cultivate canes on their provision- grounds, and the planter lends his boiling-house, taking only one-fourth of the produce, while in other Colonies one-half is usually demanded, and every discouragement is thrown on the cultivation of the sugar-cane by the labourers. Job-work is resorted to whenever practicable, by which industry is encouraged and rewarded. 22. The Barbados planter has been amply compensated for his liberality and his attention to the interests of his labourers by their industry, and what is better still, their attachment to the land on which they live. It is melancholy indeed to have to assert that in other Colonies the policy pursued has been to alienate the affections of the creole labourers by the importa- tion of foreigners, and to endanger their civilization by forcing them to abandon that labour for which they are especially fitted. 23. I am well aware that I am affirming a proposition at variance with that which is generally inculcated by the planters of the West Indies. It is usual to throw blame upon the creole, who, it is said, has abandoned labour, and has fled to the woods, that he may ſive in barbaristm and idleness. - 24. I wish candidly to examine this proposition; I desire that an inquiry should be insti- tuted fairly and dispassionately as to what encouragement has been given to the creole labourer. I shall refer specially to the case of Grenada, but my argument will equally apply to other Colonies, even though the rates of wages may be dissimilar. 25. The established wages in Grenada are 10 d. a day, though I have already proved that a Grenada planter can afford to give 50 per cent, more than Barbados rates, owing to the cheapness of land. However, the rate being 10 d., and a deficiency of labour existing, it has been determined to import coolies. The principle on which coolie immigration has been hitherto conducted is, that all the expenses of passage out and home are paid by the Colony, the labourer receiving the current wages. What then is the extra cost of coolie labour? I do not hesitate to affirm that it is not less than 6d. a day. The rate of passage for the coolies brought to Grenada was 11 l. 1 is, for each adult. In five years they must be sent back at an equal cost; this is exclusive of doctors, interpreter, agents in India, &c. But you are aware that 32 adults have already died out of the late cargo per “Maidstone,” which is about 12 per cent., and which has already caused a total loss to the Colony of nearly 400 l. on that cargo, 26. I estimate the cost of each coolie imported, including return-passage, at not less than 30 l. ; and as the industrial residence is five years, this amounts to 6 / per annum. The working days in the year, allowing for 20 holidays, are 240, so that the extra expense of a coolie is 6d. a day. Then, again, you announce to me a most extraordinary fact, which I must not omit to notice, though it is at variance with the impression which I formed when in Grenada. You state that, in addition to his wages of 10 d., the coolie is entitled to provision-ground of at least one acre, and that “he is better off than the native labourer, who has neither house nor medical attendance provided for him.” An acre of land and a house ought certainly to be worth 1s. 8d. per week, or 4d. a day. The rent of the negro houses in Barbados is 10d. a week, or 2d. a day, and they should be worth as much in Grenada. In Barbados one quarter of an acre of land rents from 5 d. to 10 d. a week, that is, 1s. 8d. to 3s. 4d. per acre. Taking land in Grenada at half the value of the minimum rates in Barbados, it should yield 10 d. per acre per week, which, added to 10 d. for the house, gives I S. 8d. per week, or 4 d. er day. - * -- p 27. inus then, the creole labourer gets 10 d. per day, while the coolie is to receive 10 d. wages, 4d. in house and land, and 6d. in cost of importation and removal, in all I S. 8 d. per day, or exactly double the wages of the creole. I am inclined to hope that this is an exag- gerated view of the case, and that you must have been led into some error as to the coolie being “better off than the creole” with reference to a house and grounds. When in Grenada my impression certainly was, that the creole labourer was not charged rent for his provision-grounds. Be this as it may, the system pursued is a most vicious one, which has been completely abandoned in Barbados. The labourer should receive full money wages, and be charged a fair rental per acre for his land, on which he would probably put up his own house. 28. Though I hope that you will be able to show that the creole labourer is not subjected to the injustice of being charged rent for house and grounds, which are given free of such a charge to the coolie, there is a feature in the Grenada immigration system which l cannot, in treating of the question, omit to notice. I have already pointed out that the coolies expenses add 6d. per day to the cost of his labour; but it seems almost incredible that the creole labourer should be taxed to make up that 6d., and yet such is the fact. The immi- 0.13. L 2 gration GRENADA. *º-ºº: i-e 78 PAPERS RELATING TO THE G RENADA. & º gration funds are raised in Grenada by a tax on the consumption of rum, which it is notorious is paid chiefly by the creole labouring population, and which, though an admirable tax, would be more popular if it were applied to promote education instead of to bring in foreigners to compete with the labourers for employment. - 29. It is generally admitted that the creole labourers are fully alive to all acts of injustice, and it is not, therefore, to be wondered at that such a policy as I have described should have alienated their affections from the planters, and inspired them in some places with a deep hatred of the foreigners brought into the country at their expense to compete with them in the labour market. •ºr # 30. Fully convinced in my own mind that coolie immigration into these Colonies is wholly unnecessary, and calculated to lead to most deplorable results in the future, from which none will suffer so severely as the planters who have demanded it, and whose erroneous policy has led persons at a distance and unacquainted with facts to believe in the deficiency of labour. I nevertheless think that a system might be devised that, at all events, would not be inconsistent with justice to the creole. .** Before attempting to introduce new labourers to receive current wages, and whose expenses would constitute an extra charge on the Colony receiving them, I think that the current wages should be advanced to such rate as the existing wages with the cost of the immigrant would annount to. 31. Thus, if in Grenada, the current wages are 10d. a day, without a house and land, and if the planters are prepared to import cooliés at an extra cost of 6 d. a day, and 4d. extra in the form of house and land, they ought, it seems to me, to raise the wages of the creole to 1s. 8d. before importing coolies at that cost. Then, instead of the coolie being informed that he would be carried back and forward at the expense of the Colony, and at the same time receive full wages, he should be told that he would receive a fixed rate per diem, which should be less than the current wages by as much as would be sufficient to meet his expenses. The planter requiring such labour should pay for it in such a mode as would indemnify the Colonial Government, the planter himself being indemnified by getting coolie labour at a less rate than the current wages. Under this system there would at least be no injustice to any class. The coolie would understand clearly the conditions on which he had to labour, and if he found the offered wages sufficient he would still emigrate. 32. I am, however, of opinion that coolie Immigration is, on many grounds, undesirable. The best labourer is the creole, and after him the African. I do not anticipate any denial of this assertion, but there is too much reason to fear that African labourers cannot be obtained. This should only stimulate the planters to recover that creole labour which they have most unwisely abandoned, 33. One means of doing so is by a large increase of wages, which I have clearly proved they can afford to give, and to which the labourer is justly entitled. I confess, however, that I rely much less upon this remedy than upon another which I shall proceed to explain, and on the success of which, if fairly tried, I entertain not the slightest doubt. 34. The cause of the abandonment of the sugar estates is, that it is much more profitable for a man to cultivate land on his own account than to labour for wages. Hence the labourers have resorted to squatting, and have abandoned, in too many cases, civilised places, in order to obtain the full benefit of their labour. 35. The most profitable kind of labour is the cultivation of the sugar-cane, and from that the Grenada labourer has generally been excluded, while the Barbados labourer, as I have already stated, has been encouraged in it. • * 36. The canes can only be manufactured at the mill of the proprietor; and therefore if cane cultivation on a small scale were encouraged, the employer would have an influence over the labourer such as in no other way he could obtain. 37. Land is abundant on the Grenada estates. It would be well worth the while of a planter to encourage, by every means in his power, a considerable number of labourers to settle on his estate, to raise provisions and canes, the latter to be manufactured on liberal terms, as in Barbados. The number should be regulated by the labour required at crop time, when a considerable extra force must be employed. At that time a planter could command the whole labour on his estate for the manufacture of his own crop, as well as that of his labourers. - 38. At other seasons the labourers would have no difficulty in doing the estate work, in addition to their own ; in fact, the planter would not have constant work for as many hands as he would require at crop time. He should give liberal wages, at least 1s. 4d. to 1s. 6d, charging a ſair rent per acre for his land, and for a house, when rented; and he would employ his labourers as much as possible at job-work, which is in every way the most economical. 39. I am convinced that by following the course which I have pointed out above, a very large number of the labourers may even yet be recovered for the larger estates, though I admit that it will be much more difficult to bring them back, than it would have been to have retained them on the estates. 40. Whatever views may be entertained by the Grenada planters as to the correctness of my opinions, and as to the expediency of trying whether creole labour can be attracted to the sugar estates by adopting the policy which I have pointed out, one thing is clear, that unless they are prepared to adopt the rate of wages current in British Guiana and in Trinidad, they will be unable to obtain immigrants. . - 41. All immigration from the east and from Africa must be under the immediate super- vision of Her Majesty's Government, and the labourers will, of course, choose the Colony which WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 79 which presents the greatest advantages in the shape of wages. It will be difficult to make them understand that the prices of commodities are much higher in those Colonies. It may, however, be expedient to point out the heavy taxation on many of the necessaries of life, and also that in one of them a capitation tax is in force. 42. I have endeavoured to discuss this question solely upon economical grounds. I confess, however, that I look upon it as most important in the interests of humanity. It is a trite remark in these Colonies, that we have a great debt to pay to the African race. I think, however, that we do not fully comprehend how considerable a portion of that debt has been incurred by our conduct since the passing of the Emancipation Act. 43. That great experiment, for such it was, has been watched with anxious attention by the slaveholders throughout the world, and what have they been taught by the West Indian planters ? 1st. That free labour cannot compete with slave labour without protective duties. 2d. That the negro is both indolent and saucy, that he will not work for hire, and that consequently it has been necessary to import labour at an enormous cost from the East, the labourers being compelled to hire themselves under contract, which is generally believed in foreign countries to be a sort of mitigated slavery. - 44. I presume that it is hardly necessary, in the present day, to prove by facts and figures, that free labour is infinitely cheaper than slave. Were it not that evidence taken before a Committee of the House of Commons is on record to prove that gentiennen of high standing at one time affirmed the contrary, it would be thought incredible that such an error could have prevailed. It is true that in Cuba, owing to the system which is in force, slave labour is infinitely cheaper than it was in the British Colonies, or than it is in the United States where the slave is treated, comparatively to Cuba, with great humanity. But even in Cuba, slave labour is dearer than free labour in Barbados. With regard to the United States slaves labour, sugar can only be cultivated by the aid of protective duties, which cannot be main- tained, and free trade will inevitably put an end to the cultivation of sugar by slave labour in the United States. & 45. If the slaveholders of America could only witness the relations subsisting between the planters and the labourers in Barbados, and test fairly the result of a system of free labour, much good would be dome; but the problem has yet to be solved, of obtaining from the creole the required labour in a country where land is abundant and easily obtainable. Such it is in the United States, and the slaveowners have been taught to believe, that the labourers will not work for hire if they can avoid it. 46. I have a very strong opinion to the contrary, and I am convinced that no judicious attempt has yet been made to encourage the labourers, to combine labour on estates with the cultivation of land on their own account. Under such a system I have no doubt that the price of cottom wool might be reduced, and the great staple of the southern states culti- wated at a much less cost than at present. 47. Unfortunately the opinion has become but too prevalent in the southern states of America, not only that free labour is less economical than slave labour, but that an emanci- pated negro is unwilling to work for hire. This opinion is grounded on the statements made by the West India planters. The fact is, that the free labourer in the West Indies has simply endeavoured to obtain a just equivalent for his labour, and has turned it to the best account in his power. - 48. It is much to be regretted that that labour has been heretofore less profitably employed than it might have been. It is universally admitted that the cultivation of the sugar-cane is the most profitable employment to which labourers can be put in the West Indies, and yet labour has been diverted into other channels because the proprietors of estates would neither give fair wages to the labourers nor allow them to cultivate the cane on their own account, paying a fair rent for their land and obtaining facilities for the manu- facture of the sugar crop. - 49. Other attempts to coerce the creole labourers to accept the reduced wages fixed by the planters having failed, a system of introducing alien races has been adopted, the result of which has been to exasperate the creoles, and to alienate their affections from their matural protectors. & - 50. I deeply lament this condition of affairs. I fear that the impressions which have been formed upon the subject have become so rooted that there is little probability of their being removed. 51. I am likewise well aware that I have expressed opinions in this Despatch opposed to those generally entertained by many influential inhabitants of these Colonies. I have, how- ever, weighed them most deliberately. They are in strict accordance with those economical principles now generally recognised, and which govern the markets for labour throughout the world. I trust that they will receive a candid consideration, and I can assure you, that if the planting interest of Grenada can disprove the facts upon which they are based, I will most readily consider any representation which they may be disposed to make. 52. The practical question to be considered, is simply whether Her Majesty's Government can recommend coolie labourers to be sent to Grenada, while the rate of wages given in that Colony is less than in Guiana. I am bound, on my own part to add, that I shall object most strongly to any immigration so long as a system is maintained under which “the coolie is better off than the native labourer, who has neither house nor medical attendance provided for him.” - I have, &c. His Excellency (signed) F. Iſincks, Lieutenant-Governor Kortright, &c. &c. &c. O. 13. - L 3 G RENADA. tºmºsºm- 8o PAPERS RELATING TO THE GRE NADA. Encl. 4, in No. 3. * Should be 13 l. 15s. 11d. + Should be 2 l. 9s. 10% d. Enciosure 4, in No. 3. (No. 61.) Government Office, Grenada, Sir, • 22 October 1857, --- I HAVE deferred replying to your Despatch, No. 117 of 14th August last, being desirous, before grappling with so important a subject as labour and emigration, to obtain all possible information. . 2. It is a matter of extreme difficulty to arrive, with any degree of certainty, at the actual cost of manufacturing sugar in this Colony; and the information I have been able to collect, even aſter consulting the leading planters of the Island, is so meagre, that I am unable to enter into details, with regard to Grenada, with the same degree of accuracy as your Excellency’s better means of collecting facts enables you to do with respect to Barbados. * 3. The data on which your statement is based, obtained from the report of agricultural societies, consisting of experienced planters, and from other reliable sources, must be taken to be conclusive. I remains them to be seen, whether a fair comparison can be instituted between Barbados and Grenada, as to the relative costs of producing sugar. 4. A schedule of the total expenses of the working of six estates, for a period of seven years, was appended by Mr. Walker to his supple.nentary Report on the Grenada Blue Book, transmitted in 1856, and is considered by the greater part of the planters here to be a fair criterion by which to judge of the cost of cultivating the majority of the estates in this Island ; some few, however, consider the estimate high. - 5. I may observe that during the seven years for which the calculations were made, two of the estates referred to in the schedule each paid for a new iron water-wheel, and another of them for a new steam-engine and mill. These expenses should not properly appear as a part of the cost of producing sugar, but should be considered as capital, and the interest only charged against the sugar; however, as I before mentioned, it is so difficult to obtain reliable information, that I feel I cannot do better than to adopt this return, according to which the average cost of producing a hogshead of sugar is 13 l. 5s. 11 d.; * allowing the weight of the hogshead to be about the same as in Barbados, viz. 17 cwt., the expense of manufacturing would be 1 l. 17s. 10d. greater.” - 6. I do not intend to defend the system ºf management or of agriculture generally pursued here, nor do Í contend that sugar might not be produced at a cheaper rate than at present. * It is also too true that there is a great misapplication of labour, and that that which is obtainable might be made more profitable by better management, such as I fear will never prevail in Grenada; for the simple reason that out of 75 estates in cane cultivation, more than one half belong to absentee proprietors; and the attornies and managers, uncertain as to the result of a new system of management, are naturally unwilling to incur the responsi- bility of a possible failure. A change in the general management of estates, unless made simultaneously by the whole planting body, would prove worse than useless. At the same time I believe, that nobody will deny that Grenada, in common with the other smaller islands comprised within the Government of the Windward Islands, has laboured under disadvantages; against which, Barbados, from a variety of causes, has been able to contend. - + 7. Barbados has never suffered to nearly the same extent from absenteeism, accompanied is, its long train of evils; Barbados has always had a large labouring population at command. The very nature of the Island itself, so different in its physical formation to Grenada, offers facilities for the employment of the cheapest description of labour. Implemental husbandry does not exist in Grenada; whereas, I suppose, that there is scarcely one estate in Barbados, which does not admit of tillage by means of the plough. The description of labour, upon a large supply of which the planter in Grenada must depend for his profits, is scarce; whilst in Barbados, where the planter is not so entirely dependent on a very large numerical force of labourers, except, perhaps, in crop time, there is an admitted superabundance of it. 8. It is utterly impossible to compute with any degree of accuracy the actual number of persons, whose labour can be depended on for the cultivation of sugar estates. By the census taken in 1851, the number of persons employed in agriculture, including 12 in the town of St. George, and 1,218 in Carriacou, was set down at 13,502, the whole population being 32,671. In 1854 the cholera committed great havoc among the labouring population; the census return also appears to have included all persons employed in agriculture, whether on their own account or for wages. - 9. I do not believe that more than 6,000 persons, or about one-fifth of the population, work regularly in the cane fields. One gentleman of very great experience and intelligence says, “It is thought that out of a population of somewhere about 28,000, only between 4,500 and 5,000 work continually on sugar plantations, and the consequence is, the Island ships 5,000 to 6,000 hogsheads of sugar, instead of 16,000 to 18,000 which it used to do.” 10. If Lord Harris's statement in his Despatch of the 21st February 1848, to the Secretary of State, that “an allowance of one person is amply sufficient for two hogsheads of sugar,” be correct, even the small number of labourers said to be constantly available for sugar cultivation, ought to produce one-third more than is actually shipped from Grenada. Lord Harris's calculation, however, does not appear to apply to Grenada, owing probably to the fact, that the land in Trinidad can be more cheaply worked, and that the principle of economising labour is better understood than in Grenada. Be that as it may, it is º º genera west INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 81 general opinion here, that there is an insufficiency of steady and continuous labour in this Island. - - 11. The question is then, whether an attempt shall be made to induce the creole labourer to resume the cultivation of the cane, and what means are to be adopted to bring about that result; or whether foreign labour shall be imported, at, I admit, a very high rate, and substituted for the creoles, who have ceased to place their labour at the command of the planters. 12. Your Excellency recommends an increase of wages. The current rate of wages here is 10 d. a day, and usually 1 s, in crop season to non-resident labourers; that is to say, to those not residing on estates, and generally 9 d. a day to resident labourers, although on some estates no difference is made between the resident and non-resident. The resident labourer is allowed in all cases a house, and at least an acre of provision-ground, the value. of which is nominally reckoned at 3 d. per diem, but this is by no means confined to one acre, some having as much as three or more in cultivation. Thus you will perceive that the labourer is not directly charged rent for his house and grounds; but, with all the ad- vantages I have pointed out, there is but a difference of about one penny per diem made between the resident and non-resident labourer. I find that out of 23 estates from which I have got information, 22 afford medical aid and medicines gratis; the 23d does not, because there is no medical man in the neighbourhood. I certainly had been led into error on this point; I had been informed that the custom of employing a medical man to attend the estate’s labourers had been very generally abandoned ; this f find by the papers now before me is not the case. * 13. The labourers here have not been in the habit of raising much cane in their provision grounds, but that has been principally owing to the low price of sugar. They have been able, at the expense of much less physical labour, to grow provisions for the sale of which they are not restricted to this Island, but have a ready market in Trinidad, and are justly satisfied with the large profits they make in that Island. Since the rise in the price of sugar, the cultivation of the cane has become much mole general among the labourers, and I cannot find, by strict inquiry, that any discouragement is thrown on it by the planters. With the terms on which the sugar is manufactured you are well acquainted; for one half of the produce, the canes are carted form the field and manufactured into sugar. You say in the 20th paragraph of your Despatch that in Barbados the planter lends his boiling- house, taking only one quarter of the produce. If the accommodation afforded by the planter in Barbados is limited to the loan of his boiling-house, I think the advantage is on the side of the Grenada labourer. - 14. Whatever injury the planter may have received from injudicious teatment of the labourers for some years after emancipation, and to which your Excellency very justly attributes a great portion of the distress to which the West India Islands have been sub- jected, it cannot be said that in Grenada the importation of foreigners has alienated the affections of the labourers and endangered their civilization, by forcing them to abandon that labour for which they are specially fitted, the first introduction of strangers having taken place in May last, with the exception of a few hundred Portuguese introduced some years ago. If the policy pursued by the planter in Grenada has proved ruinous to himself by depriving him of the services of the creole labourer, it can scarcely be asserted that it has driven the latter to the woods, where he lives in barbarism and idliness. It has had the effect of establishing a class of persons unknown in Barbados. Land is cheap in Grenada, either to purchase or rent, and consequently squatting scarcely exists. A pro- prietary body has sprung into life, daily increasing its numbers and the extent of its operations, and far from retrograding in the scale of civilization. Such a class I consider likely in the course of time to exercise a considerable influence over the political and com- mercial status of the Island. 15. Winere such a field is open to the labourer, the condition of that class cannot be said to be utifavourable, nor is it probable that any but very strong inducements would lead him to neglect his own property, and to return again to the condition of an estates’ labourer. 16. From among the owners and renters of land at the seasons when the planter requires least labour he is able to get more than sufficient ; but when the canes require weeding the supply of labour is most uncertain. The labourer's land at that time requires attention as well as the planter’s, and, as a matter of course, has the preference. 17. I think I have laid before your Excellency a fair exposition of the condition of the labouring classes in Grenada, and of the relation in which they stand to the planters. They have a prospect of attaining a position of independence which is beyond the reach of the labourer in Barbados, where he is dependent on his employer, whom he dare not displease, as his services can be dispensed with, owing to the facility of supplying his place. In Grenada the reverse is the case; the planter is at the mercy of the labourer, who has it almºst in his power to dictate terms to his master. 18. My opinion, that a comparison can scarcely be drawn between Barbados and Grenada labour, and that the same system of management will not be attended with the same success, has been strengthened from a conversation I had a few days since with a gentleman who has lately undertaken the management of an estate here, having been for 15 or 16 years previously settled in Barbados He says that according to his experience, the creole works harder in Barbados than here ; that here the labourer is too independent, and that if spoken to as in Barbados he would shoulder his hoe and leave the field. It is also a remarkable fact, that several Bar- bados planters have tried sugar cultivation in Grenada, and have, I believe, with one exception, failed. O. 13. + L 4 *x 10. The GRENADA. º 82 - PAPERS RELATING TO THE GRENADA. 19. The cost the planter is willing to incur on account of coolie labour, clearly demon- strates the correctness of your assertion, that he could afford to give a higher rate of wages than is paid to the creole labourer, and yet make the cultivation of sugar profitable; but it must be borne in mind that in the item of wages the creole is already on an equality with the coolie, and the greater cost of the latter is caused by the expense of transport from India. The planters admit that the creole is a more able-bodied labourer than the Indian, and physically better fitted for hard work, but maintain that his value -is greatly decreased by his unwillingness to labour steadily and uninterruptedly. 20. With respect to the expediency of raising wages, one planter states as follows:— “It may safely be advanced that the present rate of wages, with the advantages enjoyed by the native population, has been ample to allow by far the greater number of our effective creole and African population to settle on their own lots of land of from one to two acres, where the settler builds himself a Roseau house,” (all the materials taken from the proprie- tor's land in the mountains), “where he keeps a pig, and cultivates provisions more than ample to supply his wants. He is there in the height of his ambition; seldon works on a sugar estate, except perhaps in crop-time, when he comes in for the sweets, which is always given to the labourers. It is not meant to be said that this is invariably the case, but it appears to be the prevailing feature, as seen in the present day in the rural districts of this Island; in fact, it is known that, for the most part, the labourers work, on an average, throughout the year continuously only three days a week; the wages for which time, to- gether with the advantages enjoyed by them, and which they take, whether at work or absent from work, enabling them to live at ease during the remainder of the week. From this it is only fair to infer that an increase of wages would only tend for a time to the en- couragement of the cane cultivation, but would eventually increase permanently the number of small settlers.” - - 21. This impression that increased wages would only temporarily benefit the estates is so general among the planters, and has taken such strong hold of their minds, that I fear there is at present little probability of their being induced to change their views. Supposing them, however, willing to adopt a more liberal scale of wages, I am not by any means san- guine that it would have the effect of enabling Grenada to dispense with immigration. I do not think that a sufficient number of creoles, willing to contract with the planters for constant work, can be obtained at any price, unless the extent of cultivation be much reduced, which, by making land cheaper than it is, would offer to the labourer still greater inducements to become a small proprietor. . 22. Whilst advocating that the current rate of wages should be raised, and that the attempt should be made in that way to induce the creole to give his undivided labour to the sugar estates, I am firmly of opinion that immigration, for a time at least, is extremely desirable. This Island is capable of supporting a much larger population than it at present possesses; and although the superior skill of the Barbados planter is generally acknow- ledged throughout the West indies, I cannot but attribute a great portion of the prosperity of that Island to its superabundant population, which has enabled the planter to apply his experience and skill to practical purposes. * 23. I regret to find that you are of opinion that the explanations I have offered in my Despatch of the 7th August, No. 47, on the subject of the rate of wages paid to coolies in the several British Colonies, will not be considered satisfactory either to the Indian Govern- ment or the Secretary of State. I am still, however, under the impression that, with the advantages possessed by the Indian labourer in Grenada, anong which I do not reckon as the least the proverbial healthiness of the island, in consequence of which very few days are lost to the labourer by sickness, he will, at the termination of his contract of service, have saved more money than in some of the larger colonies. Ground provisions, such as yams, sweet potatoes, &c., are easily produced, and it is found that the coolie soon acquires a taste for this description of food. An arrangement has been made with the employers, by which the labourers are supplied with the articles of consumption to which they are accustomed, at cost price : lice, at 2; d. per lb. ; peas, at 2; d. per lb. ; flour (wheat or corn), at 3 d. per lb.; and salt fish, at 3d. The Immigration Agent, Mr. Cockburn, remarks: “I have reason to believe that already they (the coolies) are saving money, as several have stated their wish to deposit part of their earnings with me.” Although the planters will not pledge themselves to raise the late of wages, some of them stating that property in Grenada cannot afford it, I believe that they would consent rather than forego the advantages they expect to derive from an access to the number of the labouring population. This would bring about a general rise in wages throughout the Island. f ſº tº e. 24. I am aware that I have replied most imperfectly to your Despatch, and it is with extreme diffidence that I have undertaken the task. Your Excellency being well acquainted with the conflicting views likely to be entertained by persons on such a subject as that under consideration, and with the defective and contradictory nature of the information to which I have had to trust, will, I hope, make allowance for the many incongruities which I fear will be apparent in this Despatch. I have, &c. g His Excellency Governor Hincks, (signed) C. H. Kortright. S Barbados. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 83 — No. 4. — (No. 24.) - CoPY of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable the Lord Stanley, M. P. Windward Islands, Barbados, - 27 May 1858. My Lord, (Received, 15 June 1858.) I HAVE the honour to report to your Lordship the arrival at Grenada on the 22d instant of the ship “Fulwood,” from Calcutta, with 362 coolie immigrants. * - The number embarked was 402, of which 40 died during the passage from various causes. The remaining 362 are with few exceptions in good health. I hope to have the honour of transmitting to your Lordship full returns by the next mail, I have, &c. (signed) F. Hincks. — No. 5. — (No. 30.) * Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable the Lord Stanley, M. P. - Windward Islands, Barbados, 14 June 1858. (Received, 19 July 1858.) My Lord, (Answered, No. 19, 17 September 1858, p. 107.) “, I HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship the copy of a Despatch from Mr. President Checkley, together with sundry enclosures, which will I trust supply all necessary information as to the condition of the coolie immigrants per ship “Fulwood.” 2. It would appear from the report of the surgeon that great laxity is still permitted at Calcutta. The surgeon states that “many of the coolies were embarked in a miserable condition, weak and emaciated. I can say they were put on board to die" | Again, he observes, that he can “ conscientiously say,” that many died for “want of mourishment.” 3. The authorities in Grenada seem to have been highly satisfied with the conduct of the captain and of the surgeon of the “Fulwood,” and to have considered it expedient to award them gratuities in testimony thereof. The immigrants were landed in good health, and have been disposed of among the planters. I have, &c. (signed) I'. Hincks. Enclosure in No. 5. (No. 54.) e , Government Office, Grenada, Sir, 5 June 1858. REFERRING to my Despatch, No. 49, Executive, of the 25th May last, I have now to transmit in duplicate the several documents necessary to afford your Excellency full infor- . respecting the coolie immigrants arrived heie by the ship “Fulwood” on the 22d Ullt lin] O. er 2. Upon the arrival of the “Fulwood” I appointed a committee of five gentiemen to appoition the immigrants to the several applicants, with directions to adhere as strictly as circumstances would permit to the instructions conveyed by Lieutenant Governor Kortright O. 13. M t() GRENADA. dºmºsºm. No. 4. Governor Hincks to the Right Hon. Lord Stanley, M. P. 27 May 1858. No. 5. Governor Hincks to the Right Hon. Lord Stanley, M. P. 14 June 1858. Wo. - t .* •.) &. ~~~ Clo * ~sure. **~~~ Encl. in No. 5: 84 º PAPERS RELATING TO THE GRENADA. gºmºmºre £, 50. sº Č. sº- £ 25. to the committee appointed by him to allot the coolies by the ship “Maidstone” in 1857, and I have much pleasure in reporting to your Excellency that in the performance of that duty they have exercised a sound and impartial judgment. The distribution of the coolies was subsequently uſade by the Immigration Agent in accordance with the allotments made by the committee. - - 3. By the Immigration Agent's report herewith forwarded, your Excellency will find that the coolies were landed in a very healthy state, and I have also to repºrt that in acknow- ledgment of the kindness, care, and attention shown to the immigrants during the voyage by the captain and surgeon of the “Fulwood,” gratuities have been awarded by the advice of the executive Council of Fifty pounds to the former, and 'Twenty-five pounds to the latter, both of which sums together with the surgeon’s account, amounting to 159 l. 16 s., have been paid out of the funds in the island available for immigration purposes. 4. I have the honour to inform your Excellency that I have drawn a bill of exchange, dated the 2d instant, at 30 days’ sight, to the order of W. J. Fitzsimons, commander of the ship “Fulwood” on the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners for 4,147 l. for the passage money of 319 adult coolie immigrants. 5. This addition to the labouring population has been accepted by the agricultural body with the greatest satisfaction, and there is little doubt but that it will conduce materially to the general welfare of the Colony at large. I have, &c. His Excellency Governor Hincks, . (signed) F. Y. Checkley, &c. &c. &c., Barbados. President. Sub Enclosure in No. 5. Immigration Office, Grenada, SIr, 30 May 1858. I HAVE the honour to report, for the information of his Honor the President, that the ship “Fulwood,” W. J. Fitzsimons, commander, arrived here from Calcut a on Saturday the 22d instant, after 85 days’ passage, with 362 coolie immigrants, who were safely landed on the 29th, and distributed amongst the several estates specified in the annexed schedule, as nearly as could be without separating families, in accordance with the recommendation of the committee appointed by his Honor to assist me in regulating the allotment. 2. I feel much pleasure in stating that the immigrants arrived in most excellent condition, stout, hale, and strong, and had every care and attention paid them during the voyage, as is testified, not only in the report of the surgeon of the ship, but manif st in the clean and healthy condition in which they have been landed, not one name being on the sick list. 3. Forty died on the passage, of fever, dysentery, and debility, which prevailed principally amongst the children and the aged; but I am assured that everything was done that could be done under the circumstances for their comfort and relief in sickness. + 4. I am satisfied that the provisions of the Imperial Passengers Act and the Indian Emigration Act have been well carried out, and that the terms of the charterparty have been fully complied with. 5. Captain Fitzsimons has called my attention to an apparent discrepancy in the classi- fication of the ages, several of those put down as infants appearing to be above that age, as fixed by statute, from which he complains that his ship will suffer considerable loss, as no passage-money is allowed for infants; but as the regulations direct that the classification shall be made at the port of embarkation, and the age fixed, according to the law of India, at the time of the sailing of the ship (as specified also in the 11th para, of the charter- parly), I submit that it is not in my province to re-classify them on arrival here. 6. But as the captain deserves great credit for the evident care he took of them on board, and the unexceptional condition in which he landed them, and as I consider that every encouragement should be held out to ships conveying immigrants to this port, I would respectfully recommend that a bonus of two rupees (four shillings) a head on the total number of souls landed alive be awarded to the commander, and of one rupee to the surgeon. I have, &c. Samuel Mitchell, Esq., Colonial Secretary. (signed) ; Y. Cockburn, &c. &c. &c. Immigration Agent. wÉST INDIA ColoniES AND MAURITIUS. 85 / Shipped REPORT on Coolie IMMIGRANTs shipped at Calcutta, in the “Fulwood,” on the 26th February 1858, and landed at Grenada on the 29th May 1858. Adults. Children. - Infants. ToTAL. Males. Females. Boys. Girls. 194 124 39 25 | 20 402 Died during the voyage. - I-4 13 3 5 5 40 ToTAL Souls Landed Alive - - ) 180 I'll - 36 | 20 15 302 Grenada, 30 May 1858. Y. Cockburn, Immigration Agent. º DISTRIBUTION of the Coolie IMMIGRANTs, per “ Fulwood.” Adults. Children. - N A M ES OF E STATES, &c, Infants. | TOTAL. Men. Women. Boys. | Girls. Waltham Estate {º tº sº tº eºs 6 6 I 2 3 18 Pearl tº tºº sº tºº gº tº 13 || 6 || 2 l 2 || 24 Observatory and Gouyave sº sº gº 16 6 4 2 2 30 River Antoine - - tº gº sº º 7 5 l º sº 13 Beausejour, Dumferline, and Simon * > 13 7 4 3 | 1 28 Boulogne gº sº "gº sº tº- tº 11 6 I l * 19 Paradise - gº gº tº- º dºg º 8 5 3 2 * 18 Ladigries and Miribeau - tº tº gº 10 6 2 I &º 19 Mount Horne - ſº ºn º gº º 9 5 2 gº sº 16 Woodford gº tºº gº & sºme gº 7 4. 3 sº 1. 15 Black Bay tºy tºº º tº & sº 10 5 2 3. “ºp 20 Mount Alexander and Mount Rodney tº 9 6 4 sº º I9 Diamond * gº tºº tº gº tº 5 4 tºº sº I I () Sagesse - tºº gº º gº tº gº I 2 7 2 wº I 22 Clarke's Court - tºº tºº tº gº 5 4. sºg sº sº 9 Caloviny gº tºº ſº tº tº º tº 5 4 smº sº e-ºº- 9 Laura tº gº sº tº º 5 5 I I gºe 12 Lataste tº tº tº tº tº dº 5 3 l tºº 2 1 1 Modeys - - - - - - - 10 6 l 2 2 || 2 | Mount Rich - º tºº ſº º tº 9 5 I } wº I 6 Mount Parnassus - gº tº º 3 6 I I sº 1 I Doctor Wells - sº tºº tº * tºge l gº * * sº I Cockburn gº gº tº e tº * tº I tºº — , ſº gº I Torai - - - || so Tin Tag T.T.T. Grenada, 30 May 1858, Y. Cockburn, Immigration Agent. M 2 GRENADA. summº- PAPERS RELATING TO THE GRENADA. *- Port of St. George, Grenada, 31 May 1858. REroRT on the Immigrants by the Ship “Fulwood,” which arrived at Grenada from Calcutta on the 22d May 1858. Name of the master - - Name of the surgeon • Date of departure - - Number of days on the voyage Registered tonnage - tº- Superficies of passengers’ deck William John Fitzsimons. H. Horsford Prins. 26 February 1858. 85 (eighty-five). 1,160 tons. o,240 feet. Number of statute adults admissible - - 416. z Number of such adults actually on board - 350. Number of crew - tº- cº * - - 36. , - . Port at which vessel touched St. Helena. Date of touching - gº - * - 29 April 1857. Days there - - - - º - None. If placed in quarantine, state the cause - Nil. Births - Emigrants Embarked. on the Deaths on the Voyage. Emigrants Landed. Voyage. Children w "l's ºl," ºn ,' Children Adults. under 14. Adults. Children. Adults. under 14. =s*s- ToTAL. M. F. •------ ------------- it -**s- - - - - -------> --> TOTAL. MI. F. M. F. M. | F. M. F. M. F. | M. F. | *s smºme 188 || 112 || 45 || 37 382 || – || – || 12 || 13 5 5 176 99 || 40 32 347 Add infants - 4 11 15 | ToTAL Souls - - - 362 (Here subjoin any remarks that may be proper respecting the general state of health on board, or other circumstances of importance.) Having fully and specially reported on the circumstances attending the immigrants by the “Fulwood,” I have nothing particular to add to this schedule. The cases of sickness on board were comparatively few, and of the usual character in immigrant ships, and the general health upon the whole good. The ship was clean and sweet, with abundant accom- modation for the number on board, and generally the arrangeulents with respect to food and allowances, and the comfort and safety of the immigrants, have met with my entire approbation; and I certify that the amount payable in respect of such immigrants is J,147 l. - (signed) S. Cockburn, Government Immigration Agent. º Immigration Office, Grenada, - 31 May 1858. I, the undersigned, do hereby certify that the ship “Fulwood,” W. J. Fitzsimons master, arrived at this port from Calcutta on the 22d day of May 1858, bringing 262 immigrants, above 14 years of age; 66 between the ages of 14 and 6 years; and 19 under 6 years of age. That I, assist d by the Health Officer of the port, have personally inspected the said vessel and immigrants, and find that the provisions of the Imperial Passengers Act for the time, as far as the same ale applicable, have been duly complied with ; and finally, that the amount WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 87 amount payable in respect of such immigrants is 4,147 l., say four thousand one hundred GRENAD A. and forty-seven pounds sterling. Above 14 years - gº tºº ſº- tº £º iº - 262 Between 14 and 6 gº tº tº e tºº dº * * – 66 Under 6 - - s tº { º * * º * = - 19 ToTAL - - - 847 Infants - {- tº gº tº dº iº gº dºs - 15 ToTAL - - - 362 souls. Dated at Grenada, (signed) Y. Cockburn, the 31st day of May 1858. Immigration Agent. Sir, - . Grenada, 31 May 1858. IN writing a report, required by the authorities in Grenada, as to the state in which I had received the coolies and their health during the voyage, and any other incidents occur- ring on board, it is incumbent on me to say that many of the coolies were embarked in a miserable condition, weak and emaciated. I can say they were put on board to die. Besides, many had been embarked who I had not examined the day previous to their embarkation, as I had done conjointly with the surgeon of the depôt. Many of those who were to be embarked I had to sign certificates shortly before the vessel was being towed away by the steamer. 2. While examining the coolies at the depôt, I remarked to the surgeon of the depôt that many of the people were in the aforementioned condition. He replied, “They were naturally so.” 3. The very first morning the vessel set sail there were a great many reported sick, mostly with chronic complaints, chiefly dysentery. Diarrhoea soon set in, owing evidently to the change of diet and accommodation. The diseases which prevailed during the passage were chiefly bowel complaints, fever of the quotidian intermittent type, and a few cases of cholera, contracted at the bay, when the ship was becalmed, during which time the weather was exceedingly hot and Sultry. * 4. The diarrhoea was always easily contracted; but the patient, in most instances, died from weakness and exhaustion. Besides, they would never report themselves sick at the onset of the attack; they will hide the complaint until they are prostrate, or till it was dis- cover d by the topass sirdars, or myself. I had repeatedly spoken to them of the danger of hiding their complaints. The cases of fevers always terminated favourably, except a case of common continued fever, which proved very obstinate, and terminated fatally, and a case of typhus ſever, which also terminated fatally. 5. The diet allowed for the emigrants will suffice, with the addition of some salt fish as a change once or twice a week. I found that they were well pleased with the biscuits and anolasses at 8 a.m., and the rice and dholl at 2 p.m., which they partook gladly, with pump- kins occasionally. The allowance of rice being too large for one meal, at 2 p.m. they had sºre one-third given them, in addition to their biscuits and molasses, and the remaining two- thirds for dinner, at 2 p.m. They murmured at the change; but finding the change agree with them better, I allowed them to murmur, and continued the change for their àdvantage. 6. The choorah, too, was given as directed. I must strongly urge the necessity for something more moulishing for the sick, as some fowl for broth, or some prepared meat for soup. The latter will answer well, being more convenient to take on board ship. 7. The arrowroot and sago allowed for the sick was given often in combination with port wine. They always refuse this, after the first or second day, as it produces nausea; besides, they labour under the mistaken idea that conjie increases diarrhoea. 8. I can conscientiously say that many of the sick, after refusing to take conjie, and having no inclination to eat rice, died for want of nourishment. 9. The captain was certainly very kind in oſten allowing some tims of his prepared meat, which was cooked into soup, for the sick ; but it is impossible for him to have continucq doing so, and supplied the number sick during the passage. Why, most of the children were fed off the captain's table every day. This enabled many of the spare—-I should say very spare—to gain strength, and they improved rapidly. 10. As to the treatinent the emigrants received on board, I should say, in justice to the captain and officers, it was very kind. If it is possible for one to treat another too kindly, the captain has done so. Their chambers and comforts have been seen in every way. Nothing was wanting, nor was any change proposed, but it was very leadily attended to. º O. 1 3. M 3 I cannot 88 PAPERS RELATING TO THE GRENADA. I cannot pass unnoticed the third mate, who has been very active and zealous in serving - * r -, out the stores, chiefly as their diet was changed almost every day until I had acquired a proper stardard. He certainly deserves the bonus the (acting) Emigration Agent promised him in my presence—-i. e., provided the daily expenditure be kept to the satisfaction of the authorities in Grenada, and as the medical man in charge directs. I am fully satisfied, as the daily expenditure book was brought for my inspection and signature weekly. 13. In conclusion, I must remark, that besides the disadvantages mentioned, we had both topasses sick. At first both took ill at the same time—one with haemoptysis, the other with rheumatism; again, by the 10th of April, the old topass (Samuel) scalded himself considerably, and was totally unfit for work for nearly three weeks; and, lastly, the other topass (S- Domingo) had an attack of cholera. 12. These are the disadvantages we have met with, disadvantages which cannot be reme- died on board ships; yet we have landed the coolies pretty strong and healthy, trusting to the satisfaction of the authorities in Grenada. • I have, &c. - "To Samuel Cockburn, Esq. (signed) H. H. Rins, Immigration Agent, Grenada. - - In medical charge ship “Fulwcod.” (True copy.) - Y. Cockburn, Immigration Agent. ABSTRACT of DEATH and DISEASE on board the Ship “Fulwood.” . - Date and Hour Names. Sex. Age. Disease. Date of Attack. of : Death. *****----------------- - - -— — . .-: —-mºs J. Rasool - gº tº- - boy - 4 | Diarrhoea • 28 Feb. 1858 1 Mar. 1858, 8 p.m. 2. Noonky - tºº º - female - | 40 Dysent. chron. 26 , ,, . 2 Mar. , 5.30 p.m. 3. Soondry - º º - girl - 6 Diarrhoea º 5 Mar. , 5 Mar. , , , 8 p.m. 4. Gangubissom - º - male - || 38 Diarrhoea uº. 4 » 32 6 Mar. , 5.30 a.m. 5. Rumjaun * º - male - | 38 | Diarrhoea - 4 » 25 8 Mar. , 12 noon. 6. Moochee - gºe tº- - infant boy - || Debility - º 6 », ?? 9 Mar. , 10 p.m. 7. Luckhy - º -3 - || infant girl – Aphthae - tº- 10 , 52 12 Mar. , 10 a.m. 8. Chamloo - º tº-e - male - || 47 | Dysent. chron. 5 * 32 11 Mar. , 4.30 a.m. 9. Beelansy - * º - female - | 20 | Cholera - º 11 º' ?? 11 Mar. , 10 a.m. 10. Pogro - tº tº- – | female - 7 | Diarrhoea º 2 - 2, 25 12 Mar. , 10 a.m. I 1. Luboo - tºº gº - male - I 3 Diarrhoea tº- 8 2, 22 12 Mar. , 11 p.m. 12, Brojonauth tº º - male - 20 | Cholera - tº 15 , 2? 15 Mar. , 11 a.m. 13. Perlaub - tºp - • boy - || 4 | Diarrhoea º 15 , , 25 15 Mar. , 5 p.m. 14. Tuncoonony - - - female - || 26 | Cholera - *- 12 2, 32 15 Mar. , 12 p.m. 15. Loopoo - tºº gº - male - || 13 | Feb. quot, int. - 7 3, 2) 16 Mar. , 11 p.m. 16. Gungeah - tº - . female - 44 | Diarrhoea - | 23 , }} 29 Mar. , 12 p.m. 17. Hauchman aº - - male - 43 | Diarrhoea - 9 3, 25 26 Mar. , 6 a.m. 18. Ransoo - º tº - male - || 14 | Diarrhoea º 26 , 2? 30 Mar. , 1 a.m. 19. Sungrah - * º - girl - 4 || Anasarca, diarrhoea 26 », 22 30 Mar. , 11 a.m. 20. Mungolah sº º - male - 28 Feb. typh. mitior - 28 , 25 2 April 2, 6 a.m. 21. Suson - º * > - || infant girl — Debility - sº 6 April , 6 April 2, 11 a.m. 22. Luckhy - tº º - female - 50 Diarrhoea - 4 », 22 6 April , 11 a.m. 23. Nunnec – º •. - female - 25 | Dys. haemorrh. 4 » 22 7 April 2, 8 a.m. 21. Nankau - * º - boy - 2 Anasar. (diarrhoea) 4 » 22 7 April 2, 2 p.m. 25. Mohur - se º - male - || 17 | Pheumonia - 4 » 3) 9 April 2, 2 p.m. 26. Dooky - tºº sºs - || female - | 40 | Diarrhoea * 10 × 95 12 April 2, 7 p.m. 27. Rungloll - tº tº- - male - || 32 | Dysent. chron. 10 ; 22 14 April 2, 12 a.m. 28. Toree - se tº - male - 30 | Dysent. haemorrh. 12 2, 25 15 April 2, 10 p.m. 29. Sookee - º º - female - 30 | Cancrum oris - 13 , 32 16 April 2, 8 p.m. 30. Fookeer - tº --> - || infant boy | – || Debility - sº 16 » 2) 16 April 3, 10 p.m. 3 J. Sadu º º - - || infant girl | – || Debility - sº 16 , 22 16 April 9, 10 a.m. 32. Tancoormony - -> - female - 35 | Cholera - gº 17 , , ?? 18 April , 6 p.m. 33. Dwarkanauth - - - male - 17 | Epilepsy - tºº 25 , 5 y 28 April 2, S p.m. 34. Chandro - º º - female - 38 | Diarrhoea º 28 , 95 30 April 2, 1 p.m. 35. Gendeah - º wº - female - || 31 | Anasar. (diarrhoea) 28 , Jy 2 May 2, 7 a.m. 36, Nuffar - º º - male -- 26 Cholera - eº 8 May , 9 May , 9 a.m. 37. Dugee - º --> - female - 32 Cyn. Spant. º | 22 April 2, 12 May 2, 4 p.m. 38. Miosk thee tºº --> - | female - | 40 | Anasar., debilit 8 May 2, 12 May 2, 8 p.m. 39. Sadu º º º - girl cº 4 || Cholera - º 12 , 33 12 May 3, 11 p.m. 40. Sookoormony - - - girl - 4 || Dysent. haemorrh. 16 , 75 18 May , 11 p.m. (signed) H. Horsford Rins, Grenada, 31 May 1858. (Certified to be a true copy.) Y. Cockburn, Immigration Agent. Med. Charge. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 89 GRENADA. NAMEs of Diseases, and the Number Sick in each Disease, Men, Women and Children, from 26 February 1858 to 22 May 1858. § 1 - Case. § : w § H 5 tº- — 1 — – – || 1 I Anasarca - - - cº - gº - º - 1 — 2 - 5 Bronchitis acuta - º gas - s - º 3 - - ºs - 3 Bronchitis chronica - tºº - * - * , amº 2 -> - dº -> 2 Constipatis cº" tº º &º tº º cº tº- 5 tº- *- dº -- 5 Colica , sº - º Gºe tº- * - -> tº 7 5 - - I 2 ‘Cholera - --> º tº - * => - º 3 5 - l * 9 Cynanche tonsillaris - º - º º - || 1 --- - - - I Cancrum oris - - º -> º * --> l l - gº - 2 Contusio - - ' º & º gº - º l I *- sº - 2 Jysent, acuta - &_ gº tº- tºº - º 6 1 2 sºme - 9 Dysent. chronica º • ſº - tºº © ſº 4. 4 I I - 10 Dysent. haemorrhagiae - º - sº • - || 1 l - l ** 3 Debility - - dºe wº - º -> s - l -> l 4 || 6 Dyspepsia - - - - - tº - sº 1 I – sºme – || 2 Diarrhoea - º º tºº - {-º - - 52 33 I 5 12 2 114 Epilepsia - 6- º gº º tº º * I *- - * * I Feb. quot. inter. - tº- sº - tº º t- - || 25 19 12 6 2 64 Feb. cont. Conum º -> tº- sº cº - - 2 - -> * 2 Feb typhus mitior tº º * º - º l º * esse - I Herpes circinatus - º tº- gº - tº- I - - ſºme - I Inflam. oculi gº tº tº- - - - gº * l - gºs tº- I 1, umbago - - - tº- gº +- - - - || 1 º-> - - - || 1 Leucorrhoea º - º *- º - - - || – 1 - * - 1 Otitis tº - - - * sº t- -> - * - - iºs l l Odontaigia t- tºe * - tº t- º 2 =e t- gº - 2 Ophthalm. catarrha - tº - º - º sº I - sº - l Pneumonia - & tº tº- tº *- * l sº - *- - I Parotidaea - º - gº Q- sº • - * I * * - I Parturitio - - tº- tº-e - sº * * * I - - - I Rheumatismus - -> - - º º - 2 3 - - - 5. Vulnus incisum - - º - dº - - 1. 1 : — -> *. I GRAND TOTAL - - - | 121 86 30 24 10 27 I - (signed) H. Horsford Rins, Grenada, 31 May 1858. Med. Charge. (True copy.) Y. Cockburn, Immigration Agent. Sir, Grenada, 31 May 1858. I BEG to enclose you my account against the public of Grenada for passage money of 362 coolie immigrants landed at this port from Calcutta, amounting at the rate agreed to per charterparty to the sum of 4,212 l. sterling. 2. You will notice I have charged for the 10 infants who were underrated at Calcutta, they being far above the one year limited by statute : indeed they were from two to five years of age; and you will bear in mind that I particularly and repeatedly called your attention to this fact while you were inspecting them on board. 3. I shall be a considerable loser if no payment is made for the extra rations issued to the children over and above the quantity rated on the ship's list, and it would be a hard case to let me suffer any loss after the anxious care and attention I have paid to them during the voyage, and the high condition in which I have landed the whole of these immigrants, testified to by the spontaneous approbation of the public at large. I have, &c. (signed) W. J. Filzsimons. (A true copy.) Y. Cockburn, Immigration Agent. -: O. 13. - M 4 90 k PAPERS RELATING TO THE GRENADA, Grenada, 31 May 1858. — The Public of Grenada - - To ship “Fulwood,” and owners. For passage money of the under-mentioned coolie immigrants, landed here from Calcutta 2n the 29th instant, as per charterparty, with Charles Eales, Esq., Emigration Agent at that place, dated 28th January 1858: 180 men - dºg º i º º gº - - s - 180 1 11 W Omen — tº tºº * - ; tº - - tº mºre - 1 11 36 boys, rated two to one - tº - sm tº gº - 18 20 girls - - ditto - tº ºr wº dº gº wº º - 10 15 infants - gº - tº gº tº º * tº tº- — nil. 362 equal to tº - - mº º * tº-ſº gº - 319 319 statute adults, at 13 l. each tº-º sº *Eº tºº - £. 4,147 (signed) W. J. Fitzsimons, Grenada, 31 May 1858. Commander. (Certified.) Y. Cockburn, Immigration Agent. RECEIVED the sum of 4,147 l. sterling, in a bill of exchange, on the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners, dated this 2d day of June 1858, in full of the within account. & - - - * (signed) PW. J. Fitzsimons. Grenada, 2 June 1858. - (Certified.) Y. Cockburn, Immigration Agent. Grenada, 31 May 1858. The Public of Grenada to H. Horsford Rins, Surgeon, in Medical Charge of the Immigrants from Calcutta, per Ship “Fulwood.” - To professional attendance, during the voyage from Calcutta, on 362 coolie immigrants Janded alive at Grenada, at four rupees each, as per agreement with Charles Eales, esq., Emigration Agent at Calcutta, dated 11th February 1858— - - - £. s. d. Say, 362, at 8 s. – gº tºº gº tºº tºº mº tº tº tºº - 144 16 — To amount for passage-money to England, as per same agreement - - 35 – — #. 179 6 — By cash received on account at Calcutta, 200 rupees - tº- Eº * tº 20 — — £. 1 59 16 -. Grenada, 31 May 1858. (signed) H. Horsford Rins, - In Medical Charge. - . Grenada, 2 June 1858. RECEIVED from the public treasurer of this island the sum of 159 l. 16 s. sterling, in ſull of the within account. - (signed) H. Horsford Rins, . Medical Charge. (Certified.) •,• (signed) Y. Cockburn, Immigration Agent. — No. 6. — No. 6. (No. 32.) - - Governor Hincks Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable the to the Right Hon. Lord Stanley, M.P. Lord Stanley, M. P. - 14 June 1858. Windward Islands, Barbados, * . • . " 14 June 1858. No. º?. My Lord, º (Received, 19 July 1858.) & Jºey-- I HAve the honour to transmit to your Lordship the copy of a Despatch from -----' " the Administrator of the Government of Grenada, covering an authenticated * Wide Appendix, copy of the Grenada Act, No. 280, intituled” “An Act to promote the Immi- No. 4, page 300. - gration WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. Q1 gration of Free Labourers from Africa,” together with a copy of the Attorney GRENADA. General's Report, and of the correspondence which took place between Lieu. *-*. tenant Governor Kortright and myself. N J) r. I have, &c. jº. (signed) J. Hincks. ºis Enclosure 1, in No. 6, Encl. 1, in No. 6. (No. 40.) 3. Sºr, Government Office, Grenada, 6 May 1858. I HAVE the honour to transmit to your Excellency a Bill passed by the Council and Assembly of Grenada, intituled, “An Act to promote the Immigration of Free Labourers from Africa,” together with the Attorney General's Report thereon.” I have, &c. (signed) C. H. Kortright. --> Enclosure 2, in No. 6. - Encl. 2, in No. 6. Sir, - Windward Islands, Barbados, 13 May 1858. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of a Despatch from Lieutenant Governor Kortright, transmitting the copy of a Bill passed by the Council and Assembly of Grenada, inituled, “An Act to promote the Immigration of Free Labourers from Africa,” together with the Attorney General's Report thereon; and I have to convey to you my authority to assent to that Bill. I have, &c. His Honor the President. (signed) F. Hincks. *** * * * * *** -* - - --------, --> Enclosure 3, in No. 6. Encl 3, in No. 6. (No. 55.) Sir, Government Office, Grenada, 8 June 1858. I HAVE the honour to transmit to your Excellency an authenticated copy in duplicate of an Act passed by the Council and Assembly of ihis island, intituled, “An Act to promote the Immigration of Free Labourers from Africa,” together with a duplicate copy of the Attorney General's Report thereon. I have, &c. His Excellency Governor Hincks, (signed) C. Ready, Licut. Colonel, &c. &c. &c. Administral cr of Government. Barbados, - — No. 7. — (No. 34.) No. 7. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable Governor Hincks Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M P. to the Right Hon. - º Sir E. B. Lytton Windward Islands, Barbados, E. ..." 10 July 1858. 10 July 1858, - (Received, 2 August 1858.) Sir, (Answered, No. 16, 4 September 1858, page 105.) WITH reference to Lord Stanley's Despatch of the 27th April, I have the honour to transmit the copy of a Despatch from the Administrator of the Government of Grenada, reporting the concurrence of the Executive Council in *nel the proposition made by the Emigration Commissioners to offer a bonus if “”. necessary to induce coolie emigrants to come to Grenada. I have no doubt that T---. the Council would be equally willing to agree to the shortening of the period of industrial residence, should it be found necessary to hold out such an induce– ment. I have written for further information on this point, and shall endeavour to add a postscript to this Despatch after the arrival of the mail. 2. I consider this a fitting opportunity to direct your attention to the report of the Grenada Immigration Agent,” which accompanies Lieutenant Governor Kortright's report on the Blue Book for 1857, transmitted in my Despatch of the 10th May. The enclosure is numbered 3, and the point which I particularly desire to notice in connexion with the present * WIll Cll • This will be found in the Reports on the Blue Books for 1857, under the head Grena la. 0.13. N 92 PAPERS RELATING TO THE GRENADA. sºmº, Encl. in No. 7, (which has arisen owing to complaints from India of the lowness of the Grenada. rates of wages, viz., 10 d. a day) is Mr. Cockburn's statement of the wages at present actually paid to the coolies. - 3. I quote from paragraph 9 of the Report : “Of the survivors it is also gratifying to report that they are doing well. Their employers are quite satisfied with them and they with their employers. They all do field labour, and are considered good hands at weeding and cutting, and although they cannot do as much as the native labourer, they perform their work much meater, and make up in quality what they lack in quantity. Very few have been able as yet to turn out with the first class in ‘holeing ; those who do obtain full wages (10 d. per day), the others are paid 8 d. and 6 d. according to the class to which they belong, and all get 3 d. for extra hours during crop, so that they can save money, &c.” - 4. You will perceive from this report that while the Emigration Agent in India has complained of the established current rate of wages in Grenada, viz., 10 d. per day, in point of fact “very few” are paid that rate, while 8 d. and 6 d. are the ordinary wages of the coolies. I do not myself understand precisely the meaning of the phrase “class to which they belong.” In Barbados 6 d. is the rate given to children, while with others almost all work is paid by the task. 5. My own opinion is, that the rates of 6d. and 8 d. are wholly inadequate wages for adult males in Grenada, and if the planters are allowed to classify the labourers under indenture, even with the concurence of the Immigration Agent, I have no doubt much injustice will be practised. I attach little importance to the statement of the Immigration Agent that the labourers are satisfied. They are not getting justice, and if they are satisfied it must be because they are imposed upon in Some way. 6. I ought to mention that I had a conversation on this subject with Mr. Kortright when on his way to England, but I did not find that he concurred in opinion with me as to the labourers being underpaid, and as I find that my views on the labour question differ so widely from those of the Emigration Com- missioners, and the Governors generally in these Colonies, I have not deemed it expedient to notice the subject to the Administrator of the Government of Grenada. - - 7. I have no doubt that if Her Majesty's Government were to direct that no indenture should be allowed to remain in force where less than 10d. per day was paid to a male adult, all the immigrants would be taken up at once at that rate in Grenada, or in any other Colony in this Government except Barbados. That is what the Grenada Government itself has reported to be the current rate of wages in the Colony, and it most assuredly must be considered low enough when St Lucia has offered 1 s. * 8. I have thought it my duty to call your attention to Mr. Cockburn's report, and to the manner in which, in my judgment, the Grenada planters are evading the fulfilment of their own offers. I have, &c. (signed) F. Hincks. P.S. —I have ascertained that the Grenada Government would rather give a bonus down than increase wages or diminish the term of industrial residence. Enclosure in No. 7. -- Sir, - Government Office, Grenada, 25 June 1858. * I HAVE the honour to report to your Excellency that your Despatch of the 25th May 1858, Grenada, No 174, covering a Despatch from the Secretary of State, and its enclosures, was brought under the consideration of the Executive Council on the 22d instant. At this meeting it was unanimously agreed, that, for the purpose of obtaining immigrants to this island, the system of offering a bonus to such immigrants at the port of embarkation should be adopted, provided they cannot be obtained at the rate of wages proposed to be given to them in this Colony. - . . . . I have, &c. His Excellency Governor Hincks, (signed) C. Ready, - - &c. &c. &c. - Administering the Government. . . . . . . . Barbados. west INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 93 — No. 8. — (No. 35.) - , Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M.P. - - Windward Islands, Barbados, 27 July 1858. (Received, 16 August 1858.) Sir, (Answered, No. 15, 4 September 1858, page 105.) WITH reference to my Despatch of the 24th instant, I have now the honour to report that I have received a Despatch from Lieutenant Colonel Ready, administering the Government of Grenada, in which he informs me that it is the desire of the Council of that Colony that Mr. Caird should continue to act as agent for the present. Unless the co-operation of St. Vincent could be obtained, the plan of a common agency could hardly be carried out, and up to the present time St. Vincent has not been in a position to sustain an emigration of coolies. I have, &c. (signed) F. Hincks. tºº No. 9. — (No. 42.) - Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. Windward Islands, Barbados, 31 August 1858. Sir, (Received, 2 October 1858.) . I HAVE the honour to transmit to you the copy of a Despatch from Lieu- tenant Colonel Ready, Administrator of the Government of Grenada, being a preliminary Report on the coolie immigrants per ship “Fulwood.” I have, &c. (signed) F. Hincks. Enclosure in No. 9. (No. 71.) º Government House, Grenada, Sir, * * 20 August 1858. REFERRING to your Excellency's Despatch, Grenada, No. 193, 13 August 1868, giving cover to the copy of a Despatch from the Secretary of State, together with the copy of a letter from the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners, I have to assure your Excel- lency that the instructions of the Secretary of State, contained in the 3d paragraph of his Despatch, to send home, at the end of six months from the arrival of the “Fulwood,” a report on the state of the immigrants, shall be punctually attended to. 2. As some time must yet elapse before this report can be forwarded, I think it proper that I should state that, since the landing of the immigrants by the “Fulwood,” only one death has occurred among them, and this in the case of an old man who was in a debi- litated state when disembarked, though not at the time actually sick. .3. The report, of the Immigration Agent, which was conveyed to your Excellency in Mr. President Checkley's Despatch, No. 58, Executive, Grenada, 5 June 1858, showed that there were no sick people among them when landed, and the mortality on the voyage had been 10 per cent, that on board the “Maidstone” having been 243 per cent. " 4. The Executive Council have resolved that legislative measures shall be taken fo regulating the passenger traffic between Grenada and the neighbouring Colonies. s == - r I have, &c. - His Excellency Governor Hincks, (signed) C. Ready, Lieut. Colonel, &c. &c. &c. Administrator of Government. Barbados. * † O. J.3. N 2 GRENADA. No. 8. Governor Hincks to the Right Hon, Sir E. B. Lytton. Bart. M. P. 27 July 1858. No. 9. Governor Hincks to the Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. 31 August 1858. Encl. in No. 9. 94. PAPERS RELATING TO THE GRENADA. No. 1 o. Governor Hincks to the Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. 2 September 1858. .* * No. *888, Encl. in No. 1 o. Ute, cyos — No. 10. — (No. 46.) CoPY of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable Sir E. Bulwer Lytton, Bart. M. P. *. Windward Islands, Barbados, 2 September 1858. (Received, 2 October 1858.) Sir, (Answered, No. 26, 23 October 1858, page 107.) - I HAVE the honour to transmit to you the copy of a Despatch from Lieu- tenant Colonel Ready, Administering the Government of Grenada, enclosing a Memorandum, exhibiting the arrangements made in that Colony for meeting the expenses of immigration during the approaching season. I may observe, that I have authorised Lieutenant Colonel Ready to assent to the Export Act, which is similar in its provisions to Acts which have been approved of by Her Majesty's Government. 2. In Mr. Murdoch's letter to Mr. Under Secretary Merivale, transmitted in your Despatch of the 29th July, he observes, “To Grenada I presume that no emigrants will be sent during the approaching season, unless funds shall be specially provided for the purpose by the Colonial Legislature.” I venture to hope that the enclosed Memorandum will be found satisfactory, and that the agent at Calcutta may be instructed to send a cargo of coolies to Grenada as usual. The necessary funds, I can state with confidence, will be forthcoming. 3. I have transmitted to the Administrator of Grenada copies of the letters enclosed in your Despatch already referred to, but I do not think it probable that it would be considered expedient by the Government of that Colony to make any change at present in the period of industrial residence. I have, &c. (signed) F. Hincks. Enclosure in No. 10. (No. 73.) Sir, Government Office, Grenada, 21 August 1858. WITH reference to your Excellency's Despatch, Grenada, No. 188, 29th July 1858, transmitting the copy of a Despatch from the Secretary of State, enclosing the copy of a letter from Sir Charles Trevelyan to Mr. Merivale, together with the copy of a Treasury Minute with reference to that portion of the Imperial guarantee loan apportioned to the Colony of Grenada, I have the honour to assure your Excellency that care shall be taken that the necessary funds be transmitted from this country in due time to meet the pay- ments on the interest and sinking fund on the loan, at the Bank of England, on the 1st January and 1st July in each year. 2. I have the honour to enclose herewith a Memorandum, exhibiting the mode in which it is proposed to meet the expenses which will be incurred next year for the interest and sinking fund on account of the loan, and likewise for the payment of another ship-load of coolies. 3. As your Excellency will perceive, from the answers to my messages which I have received from both branches of the Legislature during their late sitting, the degree of importance attached to the importation of coolies by the people of this country, and from the passing of the Export Bill, the means that have been adopted to meet the attendant expenses, I have the honour respectfully to request that you will take such steps as may ensure the arrival of another ship-load of coolies in this island during the ensuing season. I have, &c. His Excellency Governor Hincks, (signed) C. Ready, Lieut. Col. &c. &c. &c. Barbados. Administrator of Government. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 95. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 10. T IMMIGRATION. REVENUE : £. s. d. Cash n Public Chest to 7th August 1858 º -º- *- - - 1,722 – -- Estimated amount in the hands of the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners, being balance of guaranteed loan - º tº- - 2.350 — — - t s 2 Due by estates for half passage money of coolies :- sº t- -> 1,844 – — Estimated amount to be raised under the Export Act sº cº- -> 2,800 – — Ditto - - on consumption of rum in the Colony, under Act No. 212 1,000 — — ExPENDIture : Estimated Expenses for 12 Months : * £. s. d. £. s. d Interest, on Loan *º- º - 280 — - Sinking Fund - gºe *- – 350 — — Expenses in Grenada, including agent, &c. - e- gº - 400 — — 1,030 — — Say, one ship-load of 400 coolies during the season of 1859 - tº- *-* cº- * ſº 6,400 — — 7,430 – — Estimated available Balance - - - £. 2,286 – — — No. 1 1. — (No. 54.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable Sir E. Bulwer Lytton, Bart. M. P. Windward Islands, Barbados, 19 November 1858. (Received, 16 December 1858.) Sir, (Answered, No. 36, 28 January 1859, page 108.) WITH reference to your Despatch of the 15th July last,” I have the honour to transmit to you the copy of a Despatch from the Administrator of the Government of Grenada, enclosing the copy of a letter from the Immigration Agent in that island, covering three Returns containing what I hope will be considered satisfactory information regarding the coolie immigrants. I have, &c. (signed) F. Hincks. Enclosure in No. 11. (No. 88.) Government Office, Grenada, Sir, 9 November 1858. WITH reference to your letter, Grenada, No. 193, Barbados, 13th August 1858, containing the copy of a Despatch from the Secretary of State, Gremeda, No. 11, 15 July 1858, and covering a letter from the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners containing remarks on the great mortality among the immigrants, I have now the honour to transmit the copy of a letter from the Immigration Agent covering three tabulated returns showing the deaths that have occurred on the several estates, and the parochial distribution of those who arrived since the last return, and the consolidated form of the whole, deducting the deaths, and showing the total remaining. - I have, &c. (signed) C. Ready, Administrator of Government. His Excellency Governor Hincks, - &c. &c. &c. Barbados. O. 13. N 3 GRENADA. gºmam- No. 1 1. Governor Hincks to the Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M: P. 19 Nov. 1858. * Page 103. No. oo 9 Nov.º. JE .*mber Encl. in No. 1 1. . Sub. En $osure PAPERS RELATING TO THE KG RENADA. sºme=== Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 11. Immigration Office, Grenada, | Sir, - 1 November 1858. TN reply to your communication on the subject of the mortality amongst the coolie labourers in this island, I beg to enclose three tabulated returns, No. 1 showing the deaths that have occurred on the several estates; No. 2, showing the parochial distribution of those who arrived since last return, and No. 3, the consolidated form of the whole, deducting the deaths, and showing the total remaining. 2. The mortality appears to have been confined to the immigrants per “Maidstone”, many of whom, from the miserable state in which they were landed, were unable to do anything for months, and had to be led and attended to at the expense of the estates on which they were located. 3. It is gratifying to obs, rve that the casualties ceased imm, diately after the termination of the last year, only four having died since, and the remainder are getting on very well. 4. Those per “Fulwood” are suffering a little from “jiggers” and climatic fever, the usual ordeal which they must all undergo, but I have every reason to expect that by the end of the year they will all be restored to perfect health. - I have, &c. (signed) Y. Cockburn, Immigration Agent. Samuel Mitchell, Esq., Colonial Secretary, &c. &c. &c. (No. 1.) * RETURN of Deaths amongst the CoolEE IMMIGRANTs at Grenada since last Return, viz., from 31 December last to 30 September 1858. Ship Cause Date Adults. Children. Infants. # ## N A M J. S. Age. Of Location. Of of .g. .g. & i ă ă É's # | #| | | | | | | # 3 : , ; -3 * g cº cº cº CD 2, * 3 2. Import | Death Death º º: : | [. - * | * É District of St. Patric - | 48 68 Dilchand - * = - || 50 | Maidstone - Chambord - || Debility - 5 June 1858 || 1 || – | – || – || – || – || 1 74 | 103 || Hurry ge ſº º - || 24 Ditto - River Sallee | Ditto tº tº gºe - | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | I 107 || 265 | Urrunt - &c. gº ſº 2 l Ditto - Ditto - | Ditto - || - º - || 1 - - | – | – || - I l ToTAL - - - || 3 || – || – || – — - || 3 District of St. Andrew : |== |=.--|= 339 59 || Gungaram º tº - || 45 Fulwood - || La Digne - || Dropsy - || 1 Aug. 1858 l | – || – || – | - || – || 1 - ToTAL - - - || 4 || – || – | – | – | – || 4 R. E. C. A P IT U L A TI O N. Adults. Children. Infants. - ſ . TOTAL. Male. | Female. Male. | Female. Male. | Female. Remaining per last return - gº gº • | 169 40 | 1.4 4 2 4 233 Number imported per “Fulwood”22 May 1858; 182 111 || 35 | 20 4 10 || 362 851 151 49 24 || 6 || 14 595 Iless Total of Deaths - - - 4 * * sºme sº ſº * } -4 Remaining - - - || 347 | 151 49 24 6 14 || 591 *Grenada, 1 November 1858. ‘. Y. Cockburn, Immigration Agent, WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 97 (No. 2.) DISTRIBUTION of Coolie IMMIGRANTs per “Fulwood,” classified according to the Districts in the Island. Number Number Names of Estates Adults. Children. Infants. of Name of District. of and TOTAL. District. Estates, Employers. Male. Female. Male. Female. Male. Female. - g $ - i I | Saint George - - | 1 Clarke's Court - - 5 tº- sº wº * 2 | Caliviny - gº º 5 * *º Eº º 3 || Mount Parnassus. - | | 3 || 6 I l sº gº I I Immigration Agent *" I * *-> * * * I Total - - - I 4 - l 4 I I sºme º 30 2. Saint David -' tº I Laura - * > gº < * 5 5 1 l * sº I 2 2 | Sagesse * = tº - 12 7 2. :- sº l 22 Dr. Wells. - sº tºº I sº tºº *- *sº tºº I Total - - - 18 I 2 3. l gº I 35 3 | Saint Andrew - gº 1 La Digne - º gº 6 2 l I &º gº I'0 } 2 | Mirribeau - * . g- 4. 4 1 8-º- – – 9 3 MI1. Horne - tº ſº I l 4 2 *º º *=º 17 6 4 Bologne. - tºº - || 1 || 6 I I {º sº 19 5 Dumfermline * sº 5 3 2. I * * I I 6 Paradise - º tº 7 5 2 2 sº & Gº I 6 | 7 || Simon g- * * 4 2 2 I sº I 7 8 Pearls e- gº tºº 12 G 2 I tºº 2 23 9 || Conference - tº º * ] 3. - gº 1. 9 Total - - - 68 35 I6. 8 l 3 I 3 H. | 4 || Saint Patrick - - || 1 || Observatory - - || 13. 2 2. I I sº } Q 2 River Antoine - tº º 9 4 l *== *º- 1 5 3 || Lataste tº º tº tº 5 3 * l 1 l I I 4 Mount Rich gº s 8 6 I I * sº 1 G 5 | Madeys - - - || 10 7 1 2 º I 2I *- 6 || Mount Rodney - sº 5 4 I sº tº &== I 0. } - 7 || Mount Alexander tº 5 4 2 * *} tºs I I Total - - - || 55 30 8 6 2 2 | 103 5 Saint Mark - ſº fºs l Waltham. - º &ºtr 7 6 2 } ^ * 3 19 2 Diamond - tºº iº 4 4 º tºº sºng l 9 Total - - - ll I () 2 I * 4. 28 6 Saint John - ſº tº l Black Bay - gºe - 10 5 2 3 tºº sº Q0 2 Woodford - gº ſº 6 5 3 * = I sº I 5 Total - - - | 16 I 0 5 3 l || – | 35 } GRAND ToTAL - - - 182 l l l ; 3.5 20 4. I () :2(32 | ; Grenada, 1 November 1858. O. 3. N 4 Y. Cockburn, Immigration Agent. PAPERS RELATING TO THE \ No. 3–TABLE (B.) Consolidated RETURN of Indian IMMIGRANTs at Grenada, for the Three Quarters from 31 December 1857 to 30 September 1858. N A M E of ID I S T R I C T. Saint George - sº tº Saint David - s º Saint Andrew, per last Re- turn. Since last Return ſº wºe Saint Patrick, per last Re- turn. Since last Return - - Saint Mark tºº sº tºº Saint John dºe * gº Tor AL - - - * *-* * * : : - *-ºs--- *-* … Number Located in 1)istricts. TOTAL Bemaining in District." Number of Adults. Children. Infants. Adults. Children. Infants. g Deaths of TOTAL. -------- TOTAL, per * CJ º º: † o: y e 63 {º "cs º "… à | # # | # # | # No. 1 || 3 || 3 || 3 || 5 || 3 | # > R. E ſº 2 || Pi— > Pr4 >| | }. > Pri 3 14 14 I I tºº sº 30 *-*. 14 14 l l º tºº 30 2 l S 12 3 l - l 35 *> 18 12 3 I q=e I 35 5 52 8 6 I l I 69 tº 9 | 68 || 35 | 16 || 8 || 1 || 3 | 131 || – 14 120 43 || 22 9 2 4 || 200 l I 19 43 22 9 2 4 || 199 13 1 17 | 32 8 3 I 3 164 — 7 55 30 | 8 || 6 || 2 || 2 || 103 e sº 20 172 62 16 9 3 5 267 3 ** 16 9 3 5 264 | 2 I 1 || 1 () 2 l * 4. 28 ſº 1 1 : 10 2 I tºº 4 28 —I— | 2 I 6 || || 0 5 3 l tº- 35 sº i I 6 10 5 3 I º 35 ! . 4 3 35 | | | 5 | | 49 24 6 | 1.4 595 4 |*||a 49 || 24 6 14 591 R E M A R K S. By last Return the deaths were 50 on 283 for seven months ending 31 December 1857: since then, only four casualties have occurred amongst 595, showing the mortality had considerably abated since the turn of the year; and, excepting a few cases of climatic fever and sores from jiggers, all the immigrants are doing exceedingly well. Grenada, ). 1 November 1858. J Y. Cockburn. wFST INDIA coloniES AND MAURITIUS. 99 Despatches from the Secretary of State. GRENA.D.A. — No. 1. — - (No. 84.) s No. 1. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M.P. jº -lo -- tº . -1. Labouchere, to Governor Hincks. M. P. to Governor Hincks. Sir, Downing-street, 31 August 1857. 31 August 1857. I TRANSMIT to you, for your information and guidance, the copy of a letter from the India Board, with the copy of one from the Chairman of the Emigration ºf Boº, Commission, relative to the remittance to India of the property of coolie labourers * who may die in the West Indies, and of the earnings which they may wish to send to their friends in India. -tºn; - I have, &c. 24 §ion (signed) H. Labouchere. *% • — No. 2. – (No. 95.) - - º - No. 2. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M.P. Right Hon. e H. Labouchere, to Governor Hincks. M. P. to Governor Hincks. Sir, Downing-street, 16 January 1858. *. January 1858. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 16th October, Grenada, No. 38,” with copy of one from Lieutenant Governor Kortright, report- ing that it will be necessary to have recourse to the Guaranteed Loan to meet the immigration expenses for the current year. * Page 71. I transmit to you a copy of a Report on the subject from the Land and Emigration Commissioners, together with copy of a letter from the Lords Com- ber', o missioners of the Treasury, from which Lieutenant Governor Kortright will find £ºgo.ºz. that the monies to meet this expenditure will be forthcoming when required. **ś, It will be seen that the Lords Commissioners have assented to a similar `--> arrangement as regards the immigration expenditure for St. Lucia. I have, &c. (signed) II. Labouchere. Enclosure 1, in No. 2. Encl. 1, in No. 2. Sir, Emigration Office, 7 December 1857. WE have to acknowledge your letter of 23d instant, enclosing the copy of a Despatch from the Lieutenant-govermor af Grenada, in which he reports that the sum at the disposal of the local government for immigration purposes was reduced on the 30th September last to 427 l., and that the expenses of the immigration for the current season will have to be. defrayed from the Guarantee Loan Fund. 2. In a report from this office of the 12th October it was suggested that the Lords of 1he Treasury should be requested to defer raising any portion of the guaranteed loan appro- priated to Grenada until the receipt of further communication from the colony on the subject; and, considering the uncertainty which hangs over Indian emigration at the present moment, we are still unwilling to recommend that a loan should be raised which may turn out not to be wanted. • ... - 3. It is almost certain that news of the chartering and dispatch of a ship will reach us nearly two months before we are called upon to pay freight, and we should hope that this O. 13. period 1. Ó O PAPERS RELATING TO THE . GRENADA. Encl. 2, in No. 2. No. 3. Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M. P. to Governor Hincks. 25 -" February 1858. w. 39 ot period would suffice for raising the loan of so small as a sum 7,000l. ; and even if this process should not be completed till a week or two after the freight was payable, we should find no difficulty (with the sanction of Her Majesty's Treasury) in advancing the sum from the balance in our hands. 4. We would submit, for the consideration of the Lords of the Treasury, whether, under these circumstances, it may not be best to defer raising this sum till advices from India make it clear that it will be required. 5. The same considerations apply to St. Lucia, for which Colony we hope that 5,000 l. or 6,000 l. will be required in the course of the first half year of 1858, and we would suggest that the same course should be taken with regard to this Colony. We have, &c. Herman Merivale, Esq. - (signed) T. W. C. Murdoch. &c. &c. &c. . . .” Frederic Rogers. Enclosure 2, in No. 2. Sir, * Treasury Chambers, 5 January 1858. WITH reference to your letter of 31st ultimo, I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury to acquaint you, for the inſormation of Mr. Secretary Labouchere, that, under the circumstances stated by the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners, they see no objection to the postponement of the raising of the sums that may be required on account of the guaranteed loans for Grenada and St. Lucia. Their Lordships request to receive the earliest intimation of the resumption of coolie emigration to these Colonies, in order that no delay may take place in providing funds, should it become necessary to raise the sums set apart for these Colonies out of the amount authorised by the Act 11 & 12 Vict. c. 130. I am, &c. Herman Merivale, Esq. (signed) C. E. Trevelyan. &c. &c. &c. - — No. 3. –– (No. 100.) : Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M.P. to Governor Hincks. Sir, - º Downing-street, 25 February 1858. HAVING observed that a large number of liberated Africans have been taken into Sierra Leone, and located among the resident population, I instructed the Emigration Commissioners to take steps for facilitating the conveyance to the West Indies of such Africans as may hereafter reach that port under similar circumstances. I enclose the copy of an agreement which they have accordingly concluded with Messrs. Hyde, Hodge, & Co. I have instructed the Governor of Sierra Leone to use his best endeavours to fill the ships, furnished under this agreement, with such captured Africans as may consent to emigrate. It is, of course, impossible to predict the continuance of these captures, or the degree to which the Africans may avail themselves of the opportunity offered them ; but I think it desirable to inform you of the steps which I have taken to secure, as far as possible, to the West Indies, the benefits derivable from the operations of Her Majesty's cruisers. If the Colonists also desire to take advantage of the 16th Article of the Agree- ment, it will be necessary to make proper provision for paying the proposed freight of 5 l. per adult on all emigrants from Sierra Leone, other than captured Africans, and a fee of a dollar per adult to the Emigration Agent who will embark them. I have instructed the Governor of Sierra Leone to explain to the emigrants of both classes (as far as possible, that they must be prepared, on their arrival, to enter into contracts of service to last for three years, or (in the case of children) till the age of 18. Of course, however, it will not be competent to the Govern- ment to impose or sanction such contracts, except in pursuance of some law which is in force in the Colony, on the arrival of the immigrants. 1 draw WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. I () I. I draw your attention to this point, in order that the Legislature may make GRENADA, such provision, in accordance with the above instructions, as they may consider sº- to be under the existing circumstances required. - * - - I have, &c. (signed) H. Labouchere. P.S.—You will find in the accompanying Parliamentary Paper” the former "Wide Parl, Papers, instruction to the Emigration Agent at Sierra Leone, and various documents No. 603 of 1850. throwing light on this service. - — No. 4.— (No. 2.) . . No. 4. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable the Lord Stanley, M. P. #'s. • 7, Lord Stanley, M.P to Governor Hincks. to . t Hincks. Sir, Downing-street, 27 March 1858. 27 March 1858. WITH reference to my predecessor's Despatch of the 16th January, Grenada, º No. 95,” I transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Colonial Land and Emigra- Page 99. tion Commissioners, stating that a sum of 666 l. 4 s. II d. is due from that 18 #arch Island on account of immigration services. En closu 1838. I have to request that you will ascertain from Lieutenant Governor Kortright =º whether he is able to remit funds to liquidate this account, or whether recourse. is to he had to the Imperial Guaranteed Loan. - I have, &c. (signed) Stanley. Enclosure in No. 4. - Encl. in No. 4. Sir, Emigration Office, 18 March 1858. WITH reference to our letter of the 7th December last, and to your answer of the 18th January, we have the honour to state that, upon an examination of the accounts rendered by Mr. Caird, the West Indian Emigration Agent at Calcutta, we find that a sum of 666 l. 4s. 11 d. was expended by him in the season of 1856–57, in despatching the ship “Maidstone,” with Coolies, to the Colony of Grenada. 2. This sum is included in the advances made by the East India Company to Mr. Caird, and repaid by us to the Company out of the funds in our hands for the Colonies of British Guiana and Trinidad, subject to an ultimate apportionment of the expenditure among the Colonies concerned. The amount chargeable to Grenada being, however, now ascertained, we have the honour to request that the necessary steps may be taken to provide for the repayment to us of the above amount. 3. As the balance of the Immigration Fund on the 30th of September last amounted to 427 l., it is possible that the Colonial Government may be able to pay this small sum without having recourse to the guaranteed loan. If, however, the repayment is long delayed, interest should be charged in favour of the colony of British Guiana, from whose funds the money was virtually advanced in December last. 4. We may add that, as has been usual in the case of British Guiana and Trinidad, we shall forward to Grenada, in explanation of the charge appearing against the colony in our accounts, a statement of the details furnished by Mr. Caird in respect of this expenditure. We have, &c. Herman Merivale, Esq. - (signed) T. W. C. Murdoch, &c. &c. &c. Frederic Rogers. — No. 5. — (No. 6.) No. 5. ſe Right Hon. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable the Lord Stanley, M. P. i.i Stanley, M.P. to Governor Hincks. to Governor © & Hincks. Sir, Downing-street, 26 April 1858. 26 April 1858. I TRANSMIT to you, for your own information and for that of the Lieuenant Governor of Grenada, a copy of a letter from the Colonial Land and Emigration ºil 1858 Commissioners, reporting that a sum of upwards of 5,000 l. is required on º account of immigration to that Island. O.13. O 2 I have I O2 PAPERS RELATING TO THE GRENADA. I have requested the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury to take steps for ºmmºn raising the portion of the Imperial Guaranteed Loan apportioned to Grenada, amounting to 7,000 l. You will inform Lieutenant Governor Kortright that it will not be necessary, should he not already have done so, to remit the sum of 666 l. 4 s. 11 d. to which my Despatch of the 27th ultimo, Grenada, has reference. f I have, &c. (signed) Stanley. Encl. in No. 5. Enclosure in No. 5. Sir, Emigration Office, 21 April 1858. WITH reference to our letter of this day's date, reporting the despatch of the ship. “Fulwood” for Grenada, we have to request that the Lords of the Treasury may be moved, without delay, to raise the amount of the guaranteed loan appropriated to that Colony, in order to furnish funds for defraying the freight due on that ship, which, with the Indian expenses, will probably amount to upwards of 5,000 l. As the “Fulwood’’ only left Cal- cutta on the 26th of February, it is not likely that the Ireight can be claimed in this country until the middle of June. 2. It will be seen by our letter of the 18th of March, written when we had given up all expec- tation that a coolie ship would be despatched to Grenada, that the sum of 666 l. 4s. 11d. was. due to us from that Colony on account of expenses incurred in India in respect of the ship, “ Maidstone,” and advanced virtually from the funds of British Guiana. And we under- stand that the Colony has been directed to repay us this sum from the Colonial Immigration Fund. 3. Under present circumstances, we would suggest that the Colonial Government should be at once advised, that as money will be raised in England to pay the freight of the “Fulwood,” the above debt of 666 l. 4s. 11d. will of course be defrayed from the same source, rendering any remittance from the Colony superfluous; and as we perceive that by the terms of the charterparty the freight is payable in cash or approved bills of exchange at the port of disembarkation, it would be desirable to inform the Governor that he is at liberty to draw bills on this Board for the amount due. 4. The share of the guaranteed loan appropriated to Grenada is, we believe, 7,000l.; and if this is the case, it will exceed our present liabilities by about 1,000 l. f Guaranteed loan - - - •º tº - º 7,000 Indian expenses of Maidstone, - - *º- – £. 666 Ditto - - of “Fulwood” - tº- tº 700 Freight of “Fulwood” (say) - - º tº 4,500 ——| 5,866 £. 1,134 We have, &c. Herman Merivale, Esq. (signed) T. W. C. Murdoch. &c. &c. &c. Frederic Rogers. — No. 6. — No. 6. (No. 8.) i. Hon. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable the Lord Stanley, M.P. º, M.P. to Governor Hincks. Hincks. e & 11) ClOS Sir, Downing-street, 27 April 1858. Awº §. I Have to request that you will forward, for the consideration of the Lieutenant - º sº Governor of Grenada, copies of the 45th, 46th, and 47th paragraphs of the Land *śāeyº Board letter, enclosed in my Despatch, Barbadoes, No. 8," of the 16th instant. __-T - e I have, &c. (signed) Stanley. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 1 03 t © e - GRENADA. - a- No. 7. — (No. 1 1.) e No. 7. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable the Lord Stanley, M.P. Right Hon. to Governor Hincks. - Lord Stanley, M.P. - -: to. Governor Sir, Downing-street, 3 May 1858. Hincks. I TRANSMIT for your information, and in order that it may be communicated E to the Lieutenant Governor of Grenada, copy of a report from the Emigration jigrati, Commissioners, stating the number of vessels with coolie immigrants which have ºper. Com- been despatched to the West Indies during the present year. 2:... iè38 I further enclose copy of a letter from the Acting Emigration Agent at Cal- § ... :50 of cutta, stating that the ship “Fulwood” had been despatched to Grenada with jº". coolie immigrants. - E. 1838, * I have, &c. *zze rº • (signed) Stanley. Ejº of — No. 8. — No. 1 2. ( ) No. 8. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable the Lord Stanley, M.P. Right Hon. - to Governor Hincks. Lord Stanley, M. P. to Governor z- e. & Hincks. Sir, Downing-street, 8 May 1858. 8 May 1858. WITH reference to my Despatch of the 26th ult, Grenada, No. 6,” I have to * Page 101. acquaint you that the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury will take the neces- sary steps for raising the sum of 7,000 l. on account of that Island, and that in the meantime you may consider yourself authorised, should it be necessary, to draw upon the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners for the amount required to make the payments becoming due on account of immigration. I have, &c. (signed) Stanley. — No. 9. — (No. 2.) - - No. o. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M. P. Right Hon. to Governor Hincks. Sir E. B. Lytton, - Bart., M. P. to Sir, Downing-street, 11 June 1858. Governor Hincks. I TRANSMIT to you for your information a copy of a letter from the Colonial ****5°. Land and Emigration Commissioners, with the accounts enclosed, so far as they Un relate to Grenada, submitting the mode of apportionment between the different *. jº. West India Colonies concerned, of Mr. Caird's expenditure for coolie emigra- Part ;% of tion during the seasons of 1855–6 and 1856–7. ~gº. I have, &c. (signed) E. B. Lytton. - . — No. 10. — (No. 11.) e - e No. 10. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M. P. Right Hon. to Governor Hincks. Sir E. B. Lytton. c. - - - e - I}art., M. P. to Sir, Downing-street, 15 July 1858. Governor Hincks ON the receipt of your Despatch of the 10th May, Grenada, No. 19, forward- 15 July 1858. ing Lieutenant Governor Kortright's Report on the Blue Book for that Island, for the year 1857, I directed so much of it as had reference to the question of immigration, to be referred to the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners, for any observations they might have to make upon it. O. I 3. O 3 I transmit 104 * PAPERS RELATING TO THE GRENADA. ºsmº - My 1859. r yū WYe- _^ Encl. in No. 1 o. I transmit to you for your information a copy of the answer received from the Commissioners. I have read with much regret the amount of the large mortality which has occurred amongst the immigrants, and I have to request that you will instruct the Officer administering the Government of Grenada, to send home at the end of six months from the arrival of the “Fulwood,” (the ship which will have arrived with immigrants from India subsequently to the date of Lieutenant Governor Kortright's Despatch,) the Report on the state of the immigrants suggested by the Commissioners; as I concur with them in opinion that Her Majesty's Government could not allow the immigration to continue if it were to be attended with such a mortality as has occurred amongst the immi- grants brought by the “Maidstone.” sº I request that you will also call the attention of the Officer administering the Government, to the suggestion made by the Commissioners, that an Act should be passed for regulating emigration from Grenada to the neighbouring Colonies. I have, &c. (signed) E. B. Lytton. Enclosure in No. 10. Sir, Emigration Office, 7 July 1858. I HAVE to acknowledge your letter of 26th ultino, enclosing an extract of a Despatch from Lieutenant Governor Koruright, with a report from Mr. Cockburn, the Immigration Agent in Grenada, on the subject of immigration into that Colony. 2. Mr. Kortright states that the scarcity of agricultural labour in Grenada is a source of great anxiety to all connected with the progress of the Colony; that the facility with which land may be obtained causes a continual diminution of the population which work for wages; that there is moreover an emigration of labourers to Trinidad, where the wages are nominally higher, but expenses greater; that.under these circumstances it will be necessary to look to immigration to maintain the cultivation of the Island, and that the native labourers, so far from regarding the immigrant with jealousy, look upon him as affording them a future means of escape from the necessity of working for hire. The good effect of the immigrants by the “ Maidstone” is to be seen, Mr. Kortright says, in the locality where they have principally been placed, by an increase of the crop of 1858, as compared with the crop of 1857. 3. From Mr. Cockburn's report it appears, that of the 283 immigrants who arrived in Grenada in the “ Maidstone” on the 1st May 1857, no less than 50, or 173 per cent. had died before the 31st of December following. The deaths are said to have occurred chiefly among those who were landed from the ship in a state of weakness, which is corroborated by the fact that the principal cause assigned in the mortality return, is “ debility,” and that of the whole number of deaths, 25, or exactly one-half, occurred before the end of the first month, while the deaths in November were four, and in December only two. It is added, that notwithstanding the mortality the average sickness had not been unore than usual. There can be no doubt that the planters of Grenada will for their own sakes, if from no higher motive, take all the care in their power of the immigrants; but the rate of mortality after arrival will require to be carefully watched, if immigration into Grenada is to be continued. 4. In regard to the survivors, Mr. Cockburn reports that they are working well, and giving satisfaction to their employers; that their work, though not so vigorous, is neater than that of the native; that the best hands earn 10d, and the others 8d, and 6d a day, and all receive 3 d. an hour for extra work; and that altilough there have been a few complaints of their conduct, only three were of sufficient magnitude to be taken into court. 5. In regard to the native population Mr. Cockburn confirms Lieutenant Governor Kort- right’s statement as to their disinclination to labour for wages, their satisfaction at the introduction of coolie labourers, and the extent to which they are becoming owners and lessees of land. With reference to the last point he mentions three estates of 492, 522, and 400 acres respectively, which have been recently taken on lease by persons of this class, and are in a fair way of being made as productive as in former times; and he expresses his conviction that immigration alone can afford assistance to the agricultural interest, and pre- vent the gradual deterioration of the condition of the Colony. 6. Since Mr. Kortright's Despatch was written, another coolie ship, the “Fulwood,” will have arrived in Grenada with immigrants, and it will be very important to watch the mortality among those landed from her, and to trace it, if possible, to its causes. Essential as immigration must be allowed to be to the Colony, Her Majesty's Government would not be justified in continuing it if generally attended with a mortality like that of the “ Maidstone.” I would suggest that the Lieutenant Governor's attention should be par- * g ticularly WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 105 ticularly directed to this point, and that he should be desired to furnish a report on it at the GRENADA. end of six months from the arrival of the “Fulwood.” ſºmmºn - 7. The only practical question which arises on this Despatch relates to the emigration from Grenada to Trinidad. The Lieutenant Governor reports that the vessels in which this emigration is carried on are very small and inadequate vessels, of from 8 to 15 tons, carry- ing sometimes 30 or 40 persons; and that he has been repeatedly urged to bring them by proclamation under the Passengers’ Act, but that he cannot fairly declare the passage between Grenada and Trinidad to exceed three days. The motive of those who have urged this course was, apparently, to put an obstacle in the way of the emigration to Trinidad ; and Mr. Kortlight was of course right in not adopting such a measure as a means of restrict- ing the freedom of the labouring class. It is for the planters to offer such terms to the , labourers as shall leave them nothing to desire in Trinidad; and it is impossible not to assent to the opinion expressed by Mr. Hincks in his Despatch of 26th of May last, on immigration into Tobago, that it is a wasteful and unwise policy to import labour from India at a heavy expense to the public revenue, while the planters, to avoid the expense of increased wages which would fall on them individually, allow their native population to be withdrawn from them by the higher wages of a neighbouring Colony. But, on the other hand, it is not right that out of an apprehension of appearing to interfere with the rights of the labour- ing population the passenger traffic should be allowed to be carried on in a manner which the Lieutenant Governor describes, with evident truth, as objectionable on the ground of morality and decency, and attended with imminent risk to the lives of all on board, in the event of bad weather. The remedy is, not to stretch the meaning of the Passengers’ Act so as to bring these short voyages within its scope, but to pass a Colonial Act, making such regulations as the circumstances may seem to require, in regard to the numbers to be carried in vessels sailing from Grenada to neighbouring Colonies, the space to be allowed to each, the amount of provisions and water to be put on board, and the survey and approval of the vessel by a competent officer before she sails. The Passengers’ Act will suggest the nature of the provisions to be enacted, which should be limited to what can be enforced before the vessel leaves the ports of the Colony; and care should be taken not to impose any restrictions which are liot absolutely required, and which would prove an unne- cessary obstacle to the free movement of the population. But Mr. Kortright will of course bear in mind, in determining the length of voyage of a passenger ship, and the stores there- fore to be put on board, that he should have reference not to average but to maximum voyages. I have, &c. Herman Merivale, Esq. (signed) T. W. C. Murdoch. &c. &c. &c. e —- No. 11. — (No. 15.) N º tº © © O. I 1. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M.P. Right Hon. to Governor Hincks. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M. P. to Sir, Downing-street, 4 September 1858. sº. Hinºk; de :) 4 September 1858. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 27th July, Grenada, No. 35,” and I have to acquaint you, in reply, that in the event of the resumption * Page 93. of coolie immigration to that Island, Mr. Caird will be instructed to continue to act for it, as Emigration Agent at Calcutta. I have, &c. (signed) J. B. Lytton. — No. 12. — (No. 16.) t N © ~ * - O. 12. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M.P. Right Hon. to Governor Hincks. Sir E. B. Lytton, º w Bart., M. P. to Sir, Downing-strect, 4 September 1858. Governor Hincks. I Have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 10th July, Grenada, 4 September 1858. No. 34, respecting coolie immigration into that Island. 26 I transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Colonial Land and Emigration £º 1838 Commissioners, to whom I directed a copy of your Despatch to be referred. ' ~sº With regard to the statement to which you call my attention, that very few of the coolie immigrants who have arrived get the 10 d. a day which is the market rate of wages for the able-bodied labourers, I request that you will O. 13. O 4 instruct t Page 91. 106 PAPERS RELATING TO THE (GRENADA. *s Encl. in No. 12. instruct the Officer administering the Government to cause an inspection of the immigrants to be made, in order that the number of able-bodied may be ascer- tained, and to report whether these do or do not receive the same wages as the able-bodied unindentured labourers on the same estate. I have, &c. (signed) E. B. Lytton. Enclosure in No. 12. (No. 12. Sir, Emigration Office, 26 August 1858. I HAVE to acknowledge Lord Carnarvon's letter of the 19th instant, enclosing the copy of a Despatch from the Governor of the Windward Islands, respecting coolie émigration, into Grenada. - 2. It appears, in the first place, that in case it should be impracticable to obtain coolies: from Grenada on the terms at present offered, the Council would rather give the coolie. a bonus in hand than reduce the period of his residence in the Colony. Of this I will inform the Emigration Agent at Calcutta. * - 3. But I take thé opportunity of pointing out that no instructions have reached this Board to despatch coolies to Grenada this season, nor is the balance of the guaranteed loan now º: available for emigration sufficient to pay for a ship. It amounts to about 2,500 l., which, eX. teº anº Stø on the usual estimate of 14 l, a head, would not be sufficient to pay for more than 140 coolies. 4. Mr. Hincks draws attention to the circumstance that the coolies who arrived by the * Maidstone” are receiving not 10 d. a day (as promised by a memorandum signed by Mr. Walker, then administering the Government of the Island, and dated the 6th of October 1856), but certain rates, varying from 6 d. to 10 d., according to the class to which the labourer belongs; “very few” are said to earn 10 d. - 5. It is said that the coolies are satisfied; but Mr. Hincks says, with undoubted truth, that the question is not whether they are satisfied, but whether they are getting their due. 6. On examination I find that the form of indenture provided by the Grenada Act passed in September 1855, and approved by Her Majesty's Government, declares that the immigrant shall receive the rate of wages paid to unindentured labourers working on the game estate. Specific information being required as to the rate of wages, Mr. Walker furnished the memorandum abovementioned, which was communicated to the Agent at Calcutta, in a letter from this Board, dated the 19th of December 1856. It is plain that this letter could scarcely have reached India before the 29th of January, and consequently that no promise founded on Mr. Walker's memorandum could have been made to the emigrants by the “ Maidstone,” which left Calcutta on the 27th of that month. The Colonial authorities, therefore, cannot be charged with a breach of faith in indenting the immigrants in terms of their existing Immigration Act. They will, however, be so chargeable if it should turn out that the immigrants by the “Fulwood,” (which left Calcutta last February) have been indentured on the same terms as thote by the “Maidstone;” and I cannot but add that the Colonists do not appear to me to have acted with that liberality which Her Majesty's Government might fairly have expected of them when they indentured the coolies by the “Maidstone,” at a rate of wages less than that which they had stated to the Secretary of State as the current wages of the colony, and far less than that which the same immigrants might have obtained in British Guiana or Trinidad, and very possibly on that account expected to gain in Grenada. 7. Under these circumstances it appears to me a fortunate accident that emigration to Grenada is not going on at the present moment; and I would suggest that immediate inquiry should be made as to the terms on which the immigrants by the “Fulwood” have been indented, with such an expression of opinion respecting those imported by the “ Maidstone” as Sir E. Bulwer Lytton may consider warranted by the above cir- CunnstanceS. I have, &c. (signed) Frederic Rogers. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 107 GRENADA. STATEMENT of BMIGRATION Com MIssion ERs’ RECEIFTs and ExPENDITURE. £. s. d. f £. s. d. On account of expenses at Expenses in India for “Maid- - Calcutta for “Maidstone” 666 12 5 stone,” and bill stamp - | 666 12 5 On account of Guaranteed Passag-emoney of coolies per Loan - º º - 7,000 — — “Fulwood” – - - || 4,147 – — | | Printing bonds, &c. - - 4 16 6 4,818 8 11 - IBalance in hand - - - 2,848 3 6 £. 7,666 12 5 £. 7,666 12 6 £. s. d Balance in hand brought down - º - 2,848 3 6 Add further amount to be received from Rock Life Assurance Company - tº º ºp 350 — – 3,198 3 6 Deduct estimated Indian expenses for “Ful- wood” - t- º º º º tº 700 – — Available Balance - - - £. 2,498 3 6 * * No. 13. * ſ (No. 19.) No. I 3. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M. P. Right Hon. - to Governor Hincks. - Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart, M. P., to & - o * Governor Hincks, Sir, Downing-street, 17 September 1858. 1. Sept. 1858. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 14th June, Gre- mada, No. 30,” reporting the arrival of the ship “Fulwood” with coolie emigrants * Page 83 “85 * from Calcutta. I transmit to you, for your information and for communication to the Officer ad- ministering the Government of Grenada, a copy of a letter from the Colonial Land 4, and Emigration Commissioners, on the subject of the mortality which has occurred Piz. on board the “Fulwood,” as well as on board other ships from Calcutta, together of 'i. 76 with a copy of a letter which I have caused to be addressed to the Secretary of `-- * : 1. State for India, calling attention to the mortality and to the doubts which it must 7 ºpton, throw on the future prospects of emigration from Calcutta, unless the number of * pile. deaths can be largely reduced in the next season. of eº; I have, &c. T- (signed) JE. B. Lytton. — No. 14. — (No. 26). No. 14. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M. P. Right Hon. to Governor Hincks. - Sir E. B. Lytton, º e Bart., M. P., to Sir, Downing-street, 23 October 1858. Gºrno, Hincks, IN reply to your Despatch, No. 46f of the 2d ultimo, I have to inform you that 23 October 1858, I have caused the necessary instructions to be conveyed to the Emigration Coun- & Cº f Page 94. Q. 1 3. DOllSSIOI, CI'3 lo 8 * PAPERS RELATING TO THE GREN A.D.A. No. 15. Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M. P., to Governor Hincks. 29 Dec. 1858. No 16. Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M. P., to Governor Hincks. 28 January 1859. * Page 95. missioners for the shipment of a cargo of coolies to Grenada during the ensuing SeaSO11. - At the same time I must request that you will direct the attention of the Officer administering the Goverinent of Grenada to the irregularity of calling upon the Government to incur an expenditure, without at the same time sending home not only an estimate of monies to be raised, but also an Act of Appropriation. - & I have, &c. (signed) E. B. Lytton. — No. 15. — (No. 30). - Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M. P. to Governor Hincks. Sir, l)owning-street, 29 December 1858. I TRANSMIT to you for your information a copy of a letter from the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners, with reference to the remuneration of surgeons employed on board the Australian and West Indian immigration vessels. - •. I have authorised the Commissioners to adopt the scale of remuneration which they have recommended. - - I have, &c. (signed) E. B. Lytton. — No. 16. — (No. 36). * = Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M. P. to Governor Hincks. Sir, .* Downing-street, 28 January 1859. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, No. 54 * of the 19th November last, forwarding certain returns on the subject of the mortality amongst the immigrants into Grenada. e I am glad to find that these returns are now so satisfactory. I have, &c. - (signed) 2. B. Lytton. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 109 T O B A G O. . Despatches from the Governor. - — No. 1. — (No. 22.) º Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable the - Lord Stanley, M. P. - Windward Islands, Barbados, 26 May 1858. M y Lord, (Received, 15 June 1858.) I TRANsmITTED without loss of time to the Lieutenant Governor of Tobago a copy of Mr. Secretary Labouchere's Despatch of the 25th” February last, in which I was instructed to forward such a statement of the wages and other advantages enjoyed by labourers in that Colony as could be communicated to the Governor of Sierra Leone, and I have now the honour to transmit to your Lordship a copy of the correspondence which has taken place on the subject between Lieutenant Governor Drysdale and Inyself. - 2. Although I agree with Mr. Drysdale in thinking that the class of immi- grants referred to in Mr. Secretary Labouchere's Despatch can hardly be deemed capable of judging as to the best place for settlement, and that, consequently, it may be necessary for others to decide for them on this point, I am nevertheless of opinion that a grave responsibility must devolve upon those by whom the selection will have to be made ; and it seems to me that Her Majesty's Govern- ment may fairly require that adequate wages shall be paid by those who obtain labour on such favourable terms in other respects. 3. I presume that the object of the inquiry as to the current rate of wages in the several Colonies is to enable the officer responsible for directing the emigra- tion of the captured Africans to determine as to the most eligible place for settling them ; and I have therefore been anxious to supply the most correct information in my power on this point. - 4. In the table appended to Lieutenant Governor Drysdale's Despatch of the 23d April last, the highest wages in that Colony are stated to be I s, 4 d. and the lowest 8 d. In a subsequent Despatch, the ordinary wages are stated to be 8 d. to 10 d. per day, while it is to be inferred that 1 s. 8 d. can only be obtained by a labourer who performs two tasks a day. - 5. When I last visited Tobago I was informed, on authority that seemed to me beyond question, that while the ordinary wages paid by the planters were 8 d. a day, 1 s. 4 d., or double that rate, was freely given by those who were conducting estates on the métayer system, under which the profits are divided between the proprietors and the laiourers. 6. These labourers have frequently to employ additional hands, and they are ready to pay 1 s. 4 d. per diem, or double the rate allowed by the planters. There are, I think, sufficient data to enable Her Majesty’s Government to decide as to a minimum rate of wages to be paid to those whose destination is decided on by others. - O. 13. P 2 7. The TOBAGO. No 1. Governor Hincks to the Right Hon. Lord Stanley, M. P. 26 May 1858. * Wide page 115. I 1 O PAPERS RELATING TO THE TOBAGO, **sº 7. The planters in the Colony of St. Lucia, belonging to a class of Colonies in which low wages prevail, and who certainly cannot afford to give higher rates than their neighbours in the sister Colonies, have voluntarily proposed to give 1s. per day to male adult immigrants, 8. In Barbados, where labour is most abundant, wages have never fallen below 10 d., and 1 s. is now frequently given. I think then that, considering the rates prevailing in British Guiana and Trinidad, it could not be considered unreasonable if the planters in every Colony requiring imported labour were given distinctly to understand that no contracts could be sanctioned at rates less than 1s. per diem for the ordinary number of working hours, viz., nine, or Ane usual task. 9. I think this a favourable opportunity to call the attention of your Lordship to a paragraph in the report of the Immigration Agent of Grenada, which was transmitted with Lieutenant Governor Kortright’s report on the Grenada Blue Book for the year 1857. Mr. Cockburn observes, with regard to the coolie immigrants per ship “Maidstone :” “Very few have been able to turn out with the first class in “holeing;' those who do, obtain full wages (10 d. per day), the others are paid 8 d. to 6 d., according to the class to which they belong.” 10. It is a matter of fact recorded by Lieutenant Governor Kortright in para- graph.20 of his report on the Blue Book, that there is a considerable secession from the ranks of the labourers in that Colony, from actual emigration to Trinidad. Mr. Kortright considers it difficult to assign a sufficient reason for this emigration. To my mind, the fact presents no difficulty. Emigrants, as a general rule, desire to better their condition, and it is not surprising that young men, without any ties of family, should seek the highest market for their labour, especially when that market is so near as to be reached by a journey of a few hours’ duration. 11. It does not surprise me that many return to their native Island dis- appointed ; but it is not an uninstructive fact, that they do so “demoralized by their contact and companionship with a labouring people collected from all quarters of the world, and probably possessing all the vices which the amalgama- tion of a variety of races is apt to produce.” 12. Your Lordship will perceive that in Grenada the native labourers are abandoning the Colony, to seek a higher market for their labour; while the Colony is importing from India, at the expense of the entire population, in- cluding of course the labouring classes, coolies who are p lid with 6 d. to 8 d. a day, although the Immigration Agent at Calcutta complained of the insuf- ficiency of the rate of 10 d. 13. I trust that, in submitting the foregoing facts to your Lordship, I shall not be deemed to have exceeded my duty. I can affirm, with the utmost sin- cerity, that I am as anxious for the prosperity of the planting interest as the most zealous advocates of unrestricted immigration, and it is because I am so, that I deplore the maintenance of a system, the result of which is the emigration of native labourers from a Colony where their services are required, and into which other ſailourers are being introduced at great expense, but at rates of wages insufficient for the support of a civilised population. 14. I ought not to conclude this Despatch without urging upon your Lordship the claims of the smaller Colonies in this Government to a proportionate share of the captured Africans who may be sent to the West Indies. ... I have not the slightest doubt that some thousands could be settled most comfortably in these Colónies, and that the wages which I have indicated, 1 S. per day, would be cheer- fully paid by the planters, if they were informed that Her Majesty's Government could not sanction the emigration of the captured Africans to the Colonies, where they would receive less than 1 s. a day. & I have, &c. (signed) I'. Hincks. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. I I I ‘i’Ol) AG (). Enclosure 1, in No. 1. Government House, Tobago, Encl. 1, in No. 1. Sir, * 23 April 1858. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s Despatch, covering copy of a Despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, communicating the steps he had taken to promote the immigration of captured Africans to the West India Colonies, and requesting to be furnished with certain particulars of information in the event of the Colony of Tobago desiring to share in the chance of the benefits anticipated from such immigration. 2. There cannot exist any doubt as to the necessity of an augmentation of the labouring population of this Island, and that such is the opinion generally entertained will sufficiently appear from the annexed copy of a series of Resolutions passed by the Elective Legislative S Assembly on the 16th instant, when a copy of the Secretary of State’s Despatch was laid *Enclos before the House. * ~ºre, 3. Your Excellency will perceive that, so desirous are those interested in the Island to participate in the benefits of an immigration the most suited to these Colonies, that, as the representatives of the people, they have undert ken to guarantee and provide for the repay- ment to the Imperial Treasury the whole cost attending the introduction into Tobago of a large number of captured Africans. - - 4- 4. Should this proposal be favourably received by Her Majesty’s Government, I have little doubt, viewing the present financial state of the Colony, that the Assembly will be perfectly able to make good its pledge, and considering that Tobago, owing to untoward circumstances, received only one-fourth of the number of African immigrants nilotted to the other Windward Islands, I would respectfully and earnestly urge the priority of the claims of this Colony over those of the neighbouring Islands. - 5. I beg to annex copies of the Immigration Acts in force in this Island, and under the provisions of which the African immigrants introduced in 1851 were located in the Island. 6. These Acts, I conceive, are capable of being amended in some respects without inter- fering, however, in any way, with the principles already recognised, and the successful application of which is abundantly testified in the prosperous and greatly improved con- dition of the African immigrants of 1851, many of whom are now married and have become proprietors of small freeholds, most of them being actively engaged in the cultivation and manufacture of the staple produce of the Island, either as métayeis or as day-labourers on the estates. 7. I beg to annex a return, showing the rate of labourers' wages, and other particulars of S * º e * & e & !) w information in respect to this Island, as an advantageous settlement for immigrants. **uelo, ~~ºre 2. e I have, &c. T----, His Excellency Governor Hincks, (signed) J. V. Drysdale, - Barbados. Lieutenant Governor. Sub-Enclosure 1. Sub-Enclosure 1. | Resolutions passed by the House of General Assembly this 10th day of April 1858. Resolved,—That the intimation made in the Secretary of State's Despatch of the steps taken to promote the immigration of captured Africans to the West India Colonies, has been received with much satisfaction. That at least 2,000 of such immigrants could be received and located in this Island to the mutual advantage of the immigrants and their employers. That owing to the small number of this class of immigrants allotted to Tobago in 1851, compared with the numbers introduced into the other Windward Islands, the claims of this Colony for a fair proportion of the expected immigrants merit favourable consideration. That although it would appear to be the intention of Her Majesty's Government to pro- vide from Imperial funds for the cost of the introduction into these Islands of captured Africans, yet so urgent is the necessity of augmenting the labouring population of this Island by means of immigration, that this House is prepared to guarantee and make good to the Imperial Government all costs and charges attendant on the conveyance and introduction into this lsland of such captured Aſricans, not exceeding in the whole 2,000. (A true copy.) (signed) Fred. C. Keens, Clerk of Assembly. O. 13. P 3 PAP E RS RELATING TO THE . Sull-Enclosure 2. Sub-Enclosure 2. ToBAGo. TABLE of Value of Imports, Exports, Rate of Wages, Attendance at Schools and Churches, compiled from Returns for the Blue Book for 1857; Island of Tobago. Value Value Wages. Number Attend- ToT AL - of Scholars. ...” . . * * * of of - all Ce Population. - - Da i. Sund at .14 arrº r, me ighest. Lowest. . .” Sunday | . . Imports. Exports. |Highest. Lowest. scº.s. s. Church. | •.------------------- - - £. £. s. d. s. d. | - | Estimated at 15,679 60,404 || 76,122 || 1 4 || – 8 1,860 802. | 6,230 ! Remarks.-Métaire cultivation is carried on to a great extent in this Colony, to the great advantage of the labourers. Land is to be had in abundance and easy terms. - 16 98/00. 39 73/00. . . Attendance at Schools, centessimal proportion to population - Attending Religious Worship, ditto ditto º sº Note.—The population, according to the Census of 1851, was 14,378. James J. Drysdale, (signed) Private Secretary. 23 April 1858. Encl. 2, in No. 1. z Enclosure 2, in No. 1. (No. 1 28 ) - Windward Islands, Barbados, Sir, - 30 April 1858. - tº I HAVE received your despatch of the 23d instant on the subject of African immigration to Tobago, and should have transmitted a copy of it, together with its enclosures, without delay, to the Secretary of State, but that I apprehended danger of misconception on a most important point, viz., the current rate of wages which the immigrant labourer will be entitled to receive. 2. I do not understand it to be the intention of Her Majesty's Government to select par- ticular Colonies for the captured Africans, and to compel them to emigrate there. I infer from the Secretary of State's Despatch that the immigrants will be furnished with every possible information to enable them to make choice for themselves, and if I am correct in my inference, it must be obvious that the current rate of wages in each Colony will be pre- cisely the kind of information that will be most interesting to the immigrants, and more- over that, regarding which there should be no misunderstanding, as any erroneous informa tion on this point would lead to serious discontent. . 3. You state the wages in Tobago to be from 8 d. to 1s. 4d. per day. According to the classes of labourers in Barbados, it would be inferred from such a statement that the wages of children were 8d., women 1s., and able-bodied men 1 S. 4 d. My impression is that the ordinary wages given are 8 d. per day to men and women capable of performing the ordinary tasks. - - - 4. I think that it would be desirable that you should obtain assurances from the leading planters that they are prepared to give 1s. 4d. per day to the imported labourers, or such other rate as they may deem it expedient to offer, and that you should state whether a house and provision-grounds would be granted in addition, and if not furnished gratuitously, on what terms. , - I have, &c." (signed) F. Hincks. IIis Excellency Lieutenant Governor Drysdale. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 113 Enclosure 3, in No. 1. (No. 31.) Government House, Tobago, Sir, - * 8 May 1858. IAM in possession of your FXcellency's Despatch, No. 128, 30th April last, desiring some explanations in regard to the rate of labourers' wages in this Colony, statedin my Despatch on Africa. immigration to range from 8 d. to Is. 4d. per diem. 2. In reply, I beg to observe that the ordinary current labourer's wages, both men and women, when employed in field work, may be computed at 8 d. to 10 d. per diem, with house and provision-grounds, free to such as desire them; and this, I presume, would be the scale of remuneration allowed to African immigrants on the completion of their first six months' residence. * . & 3. In most instances, however, a certain task or job—say that of making 100 cane holes— is reckoned as a day's work, and paid for accordingly. An able-bodied labourer can easily perform two such tasks in a day, and thereby earn double wages; but there are few who do so, and I should think the untutored African would not accomplish the double task in an efficient manner. When employed in the process of manufacture, some small addition is generally made to the day's wages. 4. It is not unusual, and I have known many instances where 1 s. and 1s. 4d. has been paid for a full day's labour, and I have been told of cases where even this rate has been exceeded; and taking everything into consideration, I am disposed to say that an indus- trious labourer can earn here the full average rate of wages given in any ºf these Colonies. 5. Moreover, the rate of wages to be given to African immigrants on their introduction into the Colony, if calculated on a scale proportionate to their efficiency as agricultural labourers, would obviously be less than that paid to the intelligent and disciplined creole, and this has been estim ited in some Islands at a dim nution of from one third to one half of the value of the daily wages of the native labourer. No doubt this disparity gradually dis- appears as the African becomes more tractable and expert in the use of the ordinary imple- meats of husbandry; but whilst in this state of transition, his labour can by no means be taken to be so productive as that of the resident peasantry. 6. I do not suppose, however, that the mere question of wages will be made to predomi- nate over other and simultaneous advantages to be attained by the allocation of the African immigrants in certain of the Colonies. 7. From the experience I have had of this class of immigrants, I know that they are totally incapable, in the first instance, of judging of those things themselves ; they know little or nothing of the value of money, their ideas being limited to simple primitive barter; neither can they be expected to be able to appreciate the civilising influences of education and religion, nor the means for the attainment of these ends. 8. Hence I conceive it will be necessary for others to judge for then) ; and no doubt it will form part of the duty of the Government, in giving instructions for the distribution of the captured Africans, to impress upon their agents the importance of taking into considera- tion the collateral advantages offered by the respective Colonies, together with the direct benefits of fair money wages. -- ..º 9. The instruction and religious teaching of the benighted African immigrant has been strongly urged and imposed as an essential condition in regard to the location of liberated Africans in the West Indies, and in no one of these Islands is there, compared with its popu- latian, greater facilities afforded, or more ample means provided for such a purpose, than in this Island of Tobago. 10. The number of public schools in this Colony, and the general attendance of pupils far exceeds the proportion in the sister Colonies, and through the instrumentality of the zealous missionaries long established in this Island, the means of educating the people are being multiplied constantly; aided by free grants of land for school-houses, and liberal endow- ments by the landed proprietors, all for the benefit of the labouring population. 11. On the completion of their industrial residence, the African immigrants will have before them a wide field for their independent industry, and would, no doubt, soon follow in the footsteps of their predecessors of 1851, who have largely availed themselves of the moral and physical advantages attendant upon their settlement in Tobago. 12. To avoid the possibility of my former statement in respect to wages being misunder- stood, I would respectfully request that a copy of this communication may be transmitted to the Secretary of State along with my previous Despatch on the same subject. - I have, &c. - His Excellency Governor Hincks, * * (signed) J. V. Drusdale, Barbados. Lieutenant Governor. ToBAGO. Encl. 3, in No. 1- 14 PAPERS RELATING TO THE TOBAGQ. eºsºmºmºsº º No. 2. Governor Hincks to the Right Hon. Lord Stanley, M. P. 14 June 1858. * Page 109. No. 3." Enclosure in No. 2. © . sº — No. 2. — (No. 23.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable the Lord Stanley, M. P. Windward Islands, Barbados, 14 June 1858. (Received, 19 July 1858.) My Lord, (Answered, No. 9, 14 August 1858, p. 115.) BEGGING reference to my Despatch of the 26th” of May last, I have now the honour to transmit to your Lordship the copy of a Despatch from the Lieutenant Governor of Tobago, enclosing copy of three resolutions adopted by the Legisla- tive Council of this Colony on the subject of African immigration. I have, &c. (signed) F. Hincks. Enclosure in No. 2. (No. 36.) Government House, Tobago, Sir, - tº 5 June 1858. Refer RING to the subject of my Despatch, No. 25, of the 23d April last, I have now the honour to forward to your Excellency for transmission to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, copy of three resolutions adopted by the Legislatiue. Council of this Island, on the subject of African immigration. • * * I have, &c. His Excellency Governor Hincks, (signed) J. W. Drysdale, Barbados. Lieutenant Governor. Sub-Enclosure. Resolutions passed by the House of Legislative Council, this 21st day of May i858. Resolved,— 1. That feeling impressed with the expediency and necessity of immigration as a means of restoring the agricultural prosperity of the Island ; this House learns with much satisfac- tion that steps have been taken by Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, for the promotion of so important an object. - 2. That this House is willing and ready to co-operate in any measure which may be considered necessary for the due care and supervision of such of the African immigrants, proposcq to be sent to the se Colonies, as may be allotted to this Island, and this House further pledges itself to concur in any grant of money that may be appropriated for the purpose of defraying the cost of the introduction of such immigrants. 3. That a copy of these Resolutions be transmitted through the Honourable the President to his Excellency the Lieutenant Governor. (A true copy.) - - (signed) JEdw. M. Sanderson, Cotincil Chamber, 21 May 1858. Clerk of Legislative Council, te WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 115 TOBAGO. Despatches from the Secretary of State. — No. 1. — (No. 69.) No. 1. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M.P. Right Hon. H. La- to Governor Hincks. . M. P., to - * Rovernor Hincks. Sir, Downing-street, 25 February 1858. 25 February 1858. HAVING observed that a great number of liberated Africans have been taken into Sierra Leone, and located among the resident population, I instructed the Emigration Commissioners to take steps for facilitating the conveyance to the West Indies of such Africans as may hereafter reach that port, under similar circumstances. I enclose the copy of an agreement which they have accordingly tº concluded with Messrs. Hyde, Hodge, & Co. I have instructed the Governor Park #so *30 of of Sierra Leone to use his best endeavours to fill the ships furnished under this e agreement with such captured Africans as may consent to emigrate. It is, of course, impossible to predict the continuance of these captures, or the degree to which the Africans may avail themselves of the opportunity offered them ; but I think it desirable to inform you of the steps which I have taken to secure as far as possible to the West Indies the benefits derivable from the operations of Her Majesty's cruisers. If the Colony of Tobago desires to share in the chance of these benefits, I should wish you to forward to me such a statement of the wages and other advantages enjoyed by labourers in that Colony as I may communicate to the Governor of Sierra Leone. - If the colonists also desire to take advantage of the 16th Article of the Agreement, it will be necessary to make proper provision for paying the pro- posed freight of 5 l. per adult on all emigrants from Sierra Leone, other than captured Africans, and a fee of a dollar per adult to the Emigration Agent who will embark them. I have instructed the Governor of Sierra Leone to explain to the emigrants of both classes (as far as possible) that they must be prepared on their arrival to enter into contracts of service to last for three years, or (in the case of children) till the age of eighteen ; of course, however, it will not be competent for the Government to impose or sanction such contracts, except in pursuance of some law which is in force in the Colony on the arrival of the immigrants. I draw your attention to this point in order that the Legislature may make such pro- vision, in accordance with the above instructions, as they may consider to be, under the existing circumstances, required. - I have, &c. (signed) H. Labouchere. P. S.–You will find in the accompanying Parliamentary Paper the former Parl. Pap. No. 60s Instruction to the Immigration Agent at Sierra Leone, and various documents of 1850. throwing light on this service. • — No. 2. —- (No. 9.) * No. 2 * tº - O. 2. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart, M.P. Right Hon. - - to Governor Hincks. Sir E.B. ixtton, Sir, * - Bart., M. P., to Downing-street, 14 August 1858, Governor Hincks. I º to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 14th June, Tobago, 14 August 1858. No. 23,” with a Despatch from Lieutenant Governor Drysdale, forwarding copy of three Resolutions adopted by the Legislative Council of that island on the subject of African immigration. * Page 114, . I have, &c. (signed) E. B. Lytton. 116 PAPERS RELATING TO THE s T. V IN C E N T. Despatches from the Governor. st vincent. - — No. 1. — - No. 1. (No. 86.) - Governor Hincks Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable to the Right Hon. . . H. Labouchere,M.P. H. Labouchere, M. P. 9 November 1857. Windward Islands, Barbados, 9 November 1857. id:9 swº. & (Received, 3 December 1857.) º 3, age? Sir, (Answered, No. 14, 27 May 1858, p. 142.) Wide sº. I HAVE the honour to transmit to you authenticated transcripts of four Acts sº. of St. Vincent, viz.:- & ey) Y. : ſº - gº © Vidº. 3\9: 1st. No. 702. An Act to alter the law of contracts with regard to immi- No. s wea". grants, and for the encouragement of immigration, and for the general wide *.e. 329: regulation of immigrants. pagº 2- No. 1. \ } 2nd. No. 703. An Act for laying an additional tax on produce, to provide a fund for immigration purposes. 3rd. No. 704. An Act to appropriate a portion of the general revenue for immigration purposes. - r 4th. No. 705. An Act to authorise the raising of loans of money for immigration purposes, and to secure and provide for the repayment of such loans. The Attorney General's report accompanies each of these Acts, and I transmit a copy of my correspondence with Mr. Walker, Administrator of the Government of St. Vincent, with reference to them. 2. You will learn from the correspondence, that these are not the Acts origi- nally passed by the St. Vincent Legislature. The Act No. 1, submitted for my Instructions in Mr. Walker's Despatch of the 1st August, No. 96, contained, as will appear from paragraph 4, a provision legalising contracts with Portu- guese and Americans for a period of five years. This provision being in direct opposition to the policy of Her Majesty's Government, I was under the necessity of instructing Mr. Walker to invite the Legislature to reconsider the Bill, and I availed myself of the opportunity to suggest other amendments to it. 3. The new Act has been passed in strict accordance with Mr. Walker's Mes- sage to the Legislature, which accompanies his Despatch of the 9th October, No. 1 18; but while my objection regarding the duration of the contract has been removed, and while, as Mr. Walker observes in paragraph 3, of No. 1 18, the principles laid down in my Despatch have been carried out, they have been completely neutralised by a most important alteration in the proportion of the expense which I suggested should be borne by the employer. This alteration was made, as Mr. Walker observes in the same paragraph, after a lengthened conference with the Executive Council, who seem to have considered that so long as the planting interest collectively had to pay the immigration expenses, it was of little consequence how much the individual employers should be required to contribute. 4. I cannot concur in this reasoning; it appears to me that the principle being recognised, that the immigration fund, on which must be borne all the prelimi- nary expenses in India and elsewhere, should be raised from the proprietors of estates generally, both sound policy and equity dictate that a large share of º Other WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 117. other expenses should fall on those who obtain the benefit of the labour of the immigrants. - t 5. Though I considered that the employer might fairly be required to pay to the fund the full amount of the bounty or passage money, yet I thought it more proper that I should recommend what had obtained the previous sanction of Her Majesty's Government. 6. In British Guiana, the employer is required to pay 50 dollars for a three years' contract, twenty of which are returnable to him in case the labourer should not be re-indentured. Thus the payment by the employer in Guiana is ten dol- lars a year, or 2 l. 1 S. 8d. Sterling. In Grenada the payment is one-half the bounty or passage money for a three years' contract. The passage money from India may be estimated at 15 l., one-half of which would be 7 l. 10s., or 2 l. 10s. sterling per annum. Under the St. Vincent Act the employer would have to pay 7 l. 10 S., but is to be reimbursed 3 l. in case the labourer should not be re- indentured at the end of his three years’ contract. His actual contribution to the fund, therefore, is 1 l. 10s. per annum. 7. I had objected to the provision in the Guiana Ordinance, and which is found also in the Grenada Act, under which the planter, in case of a re-indenture after five years, is only required to pay to the immigration fund 7 dollars, or 1 l. 9s. 2d. per annum, the payment being actually less in both those Colonies for an expe- rienced labourer than for a raw hand. - 8. Mr. Walker, in the last paragraph of his Message, refers to my objection, and anticipates that it will be removed. I must however observe, that I objected to this payment as too small a proportion of the cost of the back passage; but though in the St. Vincent Act the principle which I laid down has been adopted, yet, owing to the reduced annual contribution from the employer during the first five years, the immigration fund will actually receive less in that Colony than either in British Guiana or Grenada. - 9. I respectfully submit these objections to the St. Vincent Immigration Act. Having fully stated my views to the Government of that Colony, and having obtained the reconsideration and amendment of the Bill, I did not feel myself justified in offering any further obstruction to its passage, but I cannot recom- mend its confirmation in its present shape. 10, The original Act, No. 2, for levying an additional tax on exports for immi- gration purposes was objected to by me, because it included several articles the products of the industry of individuals who will not be directly benefited by immigration. I consider that this Act has been materially improved by the omission of charcoal and fire-wood. There is no probability that cotton will be exported in any quantity, and I look upon its introduction as merely nominal; still I think it unjust in principle to levy an export tax on the very few cotton growers in the Grenadines. Cocoa is not produced to any extent in St. Vincent. The cultivation of arrowroot is rapidly extending; and I do not concur with Mr. Walker in opinion, that because it is grown on some sugar estates, and by a few large proprietors, it is expedient to tax all the small cultivators of this article to defray the expenses of immigration. On the contrary, I believe that the produce of the tax will be small, and the irritation created very great. Adopting the pre- cedent which I found in the St. Lucia Ordinance, I recommended that the sugar proprietors, who alone demand immigration, should bear its expenses, and that sugar, rum, and molasses should be the only articles taxed. 11. Act, No. 3, as originally passed, provided that the general revenue should contribute permanently to the immigration fund a sum equal to the amount of the export tax. I objected to this provision, but after discussing the subject with Mr. Walker during his short visit to Barbados, I waved my objection so far as to consent to an appropriation from the general revenue, to an amount not exceeding that of the debt which, having been a legitimate charge on the public generally, was, in the time of financial pressure, provided for by a tax on exports and incomes, which falls chiefly on the planting interest, I have there- fore no objection to make to the amended Act. - 12. No. 4 is an Act authorising a small Joan for immigration purposes, and appears to me unobjectionable. 13. I have treated the labour question so fully in my Despatches by this mail with reference to the rates of wages in St. Lucia and Grenada, that it is unne- cessary for me to refer to it at any length on the present occasion. My remarks with regard to Grenada are not inapplicable to St. Vincent; the rate of wages O. 13. Q 2 IS ST. VINCENT. 1 18 PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. WIN CENT. gºmºmºsºm-º: Encl. 1, in No. 1. is about the same in both, and the cost of production cannot be materially different. The same vicious system of mixing up the questions of rent and wages prevails in St. Vincent. The labourers' tenure is a tenancy at will, and wages are, I believe, paid monthly. I have, &c. (signed) F. Hincks. Enclosure 1, in No. 1. (No. 96.) Government House, St. Vincent, Sir, - 1 August 1857. I HAVE the honour to submit for your Excellency's Instructions “An Act,” which has been passed by the Council and Assembly of this island, “to alter the law of contracts with regard to immigrants, and for the encouragement of immigration, and for the general regu- lation of immigrants; ” together with the usual report of the Attorney General thereon. 2. The provisions of this Bill are, with one or two exceptions, to which I shall presently invite your Excellency's attention, identical with those of the Grenada Immigration Act; and it embraces all the amendments and additions which, in accordance with the Secretary of State's Instructions, were passed as supplements to the main Bill in July and September 1856. 3. The first deviation from the Grenada law is in clause 3 of the present Bill, which prescribes the rates of bounty to be paid to private importers: instead of declaring that such parties would be entitled to one-half of the bounty named in the Governor's Proclamation for fixing the rates, it is enacted that a moderate fixed sum shall be paid, upon proper conditions, on each adult and child introduced at the cost of a private planter. It is felt that some time must elapse before any public immigration, under the auspices of Her Majesty's Government, can be accomplished, and indeed before the means for defraying the expense will be realised ; and the intention of this provision is, in the meantime, to encourage the private enterprise of those individuals connected with the island, whose means may enable them to seek for immigrants on their own account, either at the Cape de Verd Islands or elsewhere. 4. The next point of difference from the Grenada law you will find in the 14th clause, where the period of contract with Portuguese or Americans is extended, as in the case of the Chinese, to five years. I could have wished that the Legislature had avoided this alteration, but the Members from both Houses who waited on me on the subject, stated that it would be vain to expect any exertions in the cause of immigration on the part of indi- viduals, unless with the prospect of receiving the same benefit from their extended service as the Colony generally would be allowed to do in the case of the coolies. 5. Both the alterations, therefore, to which I have adverted originate in the same motive— the desire to encourage private enterprise. 6. The third and only remaining point in which deviation has been made from the Grenada law is in the 45th clause of the present Bill, where they have increased the penalty on harbouring or enticing away immigrants from the parties to whom they are under contract from 4l. to 10 l., and have doubled the daily fine to be inflicted on the offender for each day the immigrant is absent. This change I do not consider to be of any conse- quence, though it is apt to create an unfavourable opinion of the manner in which the planters themselves regard each other. 7. I trust that these alterations will not induce your Excellency to withhold your authority to me to assent to this Bill. From another Colony I had occasion, last year, to say to you that I was no advocate for a promiscuous immigration into these islands. I should be sorry to see St. Vincent, for a mere passing crop or two, burthening herself, and her children yet unborn, with responsibilities in which an extensive coolie immigration would inevitably involve her; and sure I am that, while it would clog and most probably mar her future energies, there would be nothing in the moral or religious character of its new inhabitants which would compensate her for her difficulties, or assist her in surmounting them. The African is undoubtedly the natural cultivator of the soil in the West Indies. The destiny of these islands has perhaps been fulfilled. They may have already served the inscrutable purpose for which they were created ; but with our material tendencies we are often not satisfied unless we can affect to comprehend or to foresee the wise designs of the Creator; and that as we have been able to discover in many of His works, so we may be able to trace in all the beautiful and wonderful uses for which they have been brought into existence. In this train of mind, it is not very unpardonable to imagine that the vast tracts of rich and fertile land throughout these Colonies, and on the neighbouring main, which have never been cultivated, or even, as far as we know, been traversed by man, may be still doomed to some more useful fate than their present luxuriant waste; and that in St. Vincent, for example, the fine forest and mountain woodlands of the interior were not made merely to attract a few passing showers for the scanty estates which dot a part of its coast. It is no idie dream, then, that in the regeneration of Africa lies the destiny of these Colonies. It is very likely that the work has been going on gradually for the last half century; that it may, in fact, have originated in the slave trade itself, with all its horrors, without X. Africa WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 119 Africa might have been as unheeded, and the negro as little known as Patagonia and its inhabitants, and that the current of events having at last led to the growth and manufacture of tropical produce by free African labour, it now only remains for us to promote that inter- course which the white man has been unable yet to open with the African continent, by extricating countless numbers of negroes from their present condition of darkness and slavery, and enabling them to resort to a country where light and freedom would be secured to them, with a large future, either in the acquisition of land, or in their return with other sources of independence to their native land. Participating to some extent in these sanguine ideas, and knowing from actual observation the superior physical qualities of the African for labour in the tropics, and his ductile dis- position to imbibe sound religious impressions, I candidly confess that I expect no great ST. VINCENT. * benefit to the West Indies or to St. Vincent from the operation of this additional Immigration Bill, and that I look with more hope to the movement, surrounded though it may be with difficulties and doubts, which is now being made at home to induce the British Government to sanction and assist a free immigration from the coast of Africa to this country. Still, as the proprietors and people of St. Vincent have asked for it, I trust that what has been freely given to other Colonies will not be withheld from this. I have, &c. His Excellency the Governor in Chief, (signed) Ja. Walker. - Barbados. Enclosure 2, in No. 1. (No. 97.) % - - Sir, , - Government House, St. Vincent, 1 August 1857. I HAVE the honour, with reference to my Despatch of this day's date, No. 96, to submit to your Excellency three Acts passed by the Council and Assembly of St. Vincent, intituled, “An Act to amend the Export Tax Act, 1856, and for laying an addition Tax on Produce, to provide a Fund for Immigration Purposes.” “An Act to appropriate a portion of the General Revenue for Immigration Purposes.” “An Act to authorise the raising of Loans of Money for Immigration Purposes, and to secure and provide for the Repayment of such Loans.” The usual reports of the Attorney General accompany each of these Bills. 2. The effect of the first of these Bills is to double the export tax laid at the end of 1856, to assist in paying off the loan ; and also to levy a duty of 1s. on each cord of wood and each barrel of charcoal exported. The second is to authorise the transfer from the general revenue to the immigration fund of a sum equal to the amount which may be raised by the first Bill. And by the third enactment it is proposed to authorise the raising of such sums of money as may be necessary for immigration purposes, for the repayment of which the public revenue generally, and the proceeds of the two first Bills specially, are pledged. 3. Altogether, I am of opinion that these measures deserve to be assented to. 4. The first enactment is certainly a direct impost on the planters themselves; the second, the payment from the general revenue, may not be unfairly regarded as the addition which that revenue will derive from the increased consumption of the immigrants. 5. If it could fairly be said that there was any undue disposition here to make the labour- ing class pay for measures which are not intended for their benefit, nobody would go to work more earnestly than myself to endeavour to counteract such a disposition; but to any such charge the Legislature of St. Vincent will find a sufficient answer in the readiness with which, when the Colony was in difficulties in 1856, they came forward and passed two Acts to meet the public debt, by one of which they laid a tax on their produce, and by the other a tax on all incomes above 50 l. I have, &c. His Excellency the Governor in Chief, (signed) Ja. Walker. - Barbados. Enclosure 3, in No. 1. (No. 175.) Sir, Windward Islands, Barbados, 19 September 1857. You R Despatch of the 1st ultimo, No. 96, Legislative, transmitting the copy of an Act passed by the Council and Assembly of St. Vincent, intituled, “An Act to alter the Law of Contracts with regard to Immigrants and for the encouragement of Immigration, and for the general Regulation of Immigrants,” has engaged my best consideration. 2. I regret that this Act contains a provision that will render it impossible for me to authorise you to assent to it; I refer to the extension of the term of contract from three years to five. It seems to be imagined that the principle of a five years' contract has been sanctioned in the case of the Chinese; but on comparing the 13th clause of the Grenada Act with the 22d, it will be found that the former is controlled by the latter. The object of legalising contracts with Chinese for five years was to secure employment to the labourer, and it was therefore necessary to provide elsewhere for their termination at his option. 3. I am persuaded that Her Majesty's Government will not sanction contracts of a longer duration than three years; but I am inclined to think that the object which the St. Vincent Legislature had in view may be accomplished in another way. - A. I presume that that object was to secure an industrial residence of five years, and that O. 13. Q 3 - it Encl. 2, in No. 1. Encl. 3, in No. 1. 120 . - - JPAPERS’ RELATING TO THE ST. VINCENT. it would be met by requiring a re-indenture for one or two years, or a payment of 2/. 10s. or 5 l. by way of commutation. t 5. I transmit herewith copies of some late Guiana Ordinances, and you will find that the provisions of No. 25 of 1856, in reference to this branch of the question, might be adopted in St. Vincent. 43 6. As it will be necessary that the Bill should undergo the re-consideration of the Legis- lature, I shall give you my views upon some other points in which I think it is susceptible of improvement. 7. It is provided that when immigration is carried on by private importers a fixed sum of 4 l, or 2 l. should be paid to them from the treasury for each immigrant. - 8. It is further provided that when the immigration is conducted by the Government, the employer shall pay towards the fund one-half of the bounty or passage-money; I am of opinion that the same principle should be applied in both cases. There is, perhaps, sufficient information on the subject to enable the Legislature to determine the precise sum to be paid or received according to circumstances; on the other hand, there is an advantage in leaving the amount indefinite. - - 9. It is however obvious that the change which it will be necessary to make regarding the duration of the contracts will materially affect the provisions of the Bill, which are now under consideration. . 10. The first point to be determined is the amount which should be contributed by the employer of the labourer towards the immigration fund, and this has been settled elsewhere to be about two-thirds the bounty or passage money for a five years' contract, or 50 dollars on each coolie labourer; the employer becomes liable for that specific sum in British Guiana; but in case there should not be a re-indenture at the end of three years, he is only called on to pay 30 dollars. - 11. This is considered an equitable arrangement, and has been sanctioned by Her Majesty's Government; and it is therefore most desirable that it should be assumed as the basis of the legislation in St. Vincent. 12. I see no object in naming 4!. as the specific sum to be paid to the private importer instead of one-third the actual bounty, unless with a view of guarding against the possi- bility of a very low rate of bounty being fixed by the Executive under the previous clause. 'It would perhaps be better that the payment to the private importer should be one-third the bounty, and that such bounty should not be less than 12 J. on a five years' contract, or 7 l. 10 s. on one of three years. The Government must establish different rates of bounty according to the periods of industrial residence, and, therefore, the sum payable to the private importer unust vary according to the nature of his contract. A contribution from the employer to the fund of one-half the bounty or passage-money would be fair enough in the case of coolies who are bound to an industrial residence of five years, as the immigration fund would derive the benefit of a further contribution on re-indenture or commutation, but one-half is not sufficient for a five years' contract; and it is to be observed that, if a contribution of two-thirds the bounty or passage-money should be determined on, the planter should only be called upon to pay three-fifths of that amount at the period of con- tracting, the remaining two-fifths being payable on re-indenture. 14. It will be necessary to provide that in the case of private importers they shall be entitled to two-fifths of their proportion of the bounty at the end of the three years’ con- tract if the immigrant should be re-indentured to another party, or should commute his last two years of industrial residence by a payment to the colonial treasury; the commutation money to be paid by the emigrant should in all cases be 2 l. 10s. per annum. 15. I strongly recommend that the amount which the employers of labour shall be made liable to pay for a three years' contract should be required in cash. The Bill provides that it shall be payable by instalments, with interest. 16. Judging from the operation of the system in Grenada, the amounts would vary from 300 dollars to 900 dollars for each planter, and I have no doubt that it will be much easier for individuals to obtain credit, should they require it, for such small sums, than for the Colony to raise the aggregate amount by loan. & 17. I object to the provisions in the 55th clause, which applies especially to coolie immi- grants, and by which the employer is required to contribute to the immigration fund 1 l. 9s. 2d. per annum on all contracts entered into after a five years' residence. The annual rate should be the same during the second five years' residence as during the first. It is true that the coolie is only required to contribute 35 dollars to the immigration fund, towards a back passage, but that amount would fall far short of furnishing him with one, and has been fixed, I presume, in consideration of the indirect benefits which must result to the Colony from his residence, even though he should not be under contract. But in case he should enter into a new indenture, it is obvious that his employer ought to pay a contribu- tion to the fund equal to what he paid annually during the first five years, and which is only a proportion of the expense of passage money. It is to be observed too, that if the coolie contributes by instalments to the fund, he is required to pay 12 dollars annually. 18. 1 should hope that you will have no difficulty in obtaining the consent of the St. Vincent Legislature to an amended Bill, embodying the principles which I have laid down in this Despatch, in which case I have to authorise you to assent to it in Her Majesty's Ila.II 162. - I have, &c. His Honor the Administrator, ..(signed) F. Hincks. St. Vincent. - WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. I21. Enclosure 4, in No. 1. (No. 176.) • - & Sir, g Windward Islands, Barbados, 19 September 1857. I HAVE had under my consideration your Despatch of the 1st ultimo, No. 97, Legislative, transmitting copies of three Acts passed by the Council and Assembly of St. Vincent, and respectively intituled, “An Act to amend the Export Tax Act, 1856, and for laying an addi- tional tax on produce to provide a fund for Immigration purposes.” “An Act to appro- priate a portion of the General Revenue for Immigration purposes; ” and “An Act to authorise the raising of Loans of Money for Immigration purposes, and to secure and provide for the repayment of such Loans,” together with the usual reports of the Attorney General thereon. * - - -- 2. These Acts depend in a great degree on one another, and also on the General Immi- gration Act, which forms the subject of another Despatch of even date with this. 3. I regret very much that it is not in my power to authorise you to assent to these Bills, but I find that an important principle is involved in them, on which I have forme i a decided OO IIll O !”. Pº That opinion is, that those for whose benefit immigration is carried on should bear the expense of it. I am well aware that a different principle has been sanctioned in other Colonies on former occasions, but I consider that all legislation on the subject of immigra- tion has been, in a great degree, experimental, and that the injustice of compelling the labouring classes to pay for the importation of labour to compete with their own, has been of late years fully recognised. I feel that an increased responsibility devolves upon the Executive with reference to questions in which the labouring classes are interested, owing to the fact that they are wholly unrepresented in the Legislatures of the West India Colonies. - 5. I willingly admit the liberality manifested by the Legislature of St. Vincent with reference to the provision made for the public debt, which obviously would have been a legitimate charge on the general revenue. 6. I should, therefore, have no objection, if an immigration fund were established, to be raised as in St. Lucia, by an export tax upon sugar, rum, and molasses, that the general revenue should be charged with a payment towards that fund of an amount equal to that of the public debt. 7. To carry out my views on this subject, it would be necessary to amend all the above- recited Acts. The loan should be raised on the special security of the export tax, or if, for convenience' sake, made chargeable on the public revenue, it should be provided that it should be repaid from the immigration fund. • - 8. The Export Tax Act is objectionable, because it levies a tax upon articles such as arrowroot, charcoal, cotton, and firewood, for the benefit of the immigration fund. I would likewise suggest that it would be more advisable that sugar should be taxed by the 100 lbs. instead of by the hogshead. º - 9. The appropriation from the general revenue towards the immigration fund is likewise objectionable, for the reasons which I have already stated. I have, &c. His Honor the Administrator. (signed) F. Hincks. Enclosure 5, in No. 1. (No. 118.) * - Sir, Government House, St. Vincent, 9 October 1857. I ENGLos E a copy of the Message which I sent to the Legislature on the 6th instant, in consequence of your Excellency's Instruction, No. 175, of the 19th ultimo, on the subject of the Immigration Act. 2 I have not received the amended Bill, which has been passed in accordance with the message, but it has been officially communicated to me by both Council and Assembly that they have adopted its recommendations. 3. You will observe that all the principles laid down in your. Despatch have been carried out. If there has been any departure from the exact proportions in which you suggested that the employer should be called upon to contribute to the expense of intrºducing the immigrant, I have only to observe that the scale which I recommended was adopted after a lengthened conference with the Executive Council, and that they considered that its equity was not likely to be impeached when it was borne in mind that whatever the proportion in which the planter individually was to pay for his labourer, you required that the remainder should be borne by him, collectively. - - - * * - 4. I request that your Excellency will instruct me as to whether I am to assent to the Bill. - - - - - - - I am, &c. His Excellency the Governor in Chief, (signed) J. Walker. - Barbados. - - . - ST. VINCENT, Encl. 4. in Ne, i. Encl. 5, in No. 1. - Sub- 1 22 PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. VINCENT. cºmmº Encl. 6, in No. 1. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 1. The Administrator of the Government to the Honourable the President and Members of Legislative Council. - THE Administrator of the Government lays before your Honourable Board a Despatch of which he was the bearer from Barbados, relative to the measure lately passed by the Legis- lature of St. Vincent, for the encouragement of immigration. - The spirit in which the Governor in Chief has made his suggestions for your reconsidera- tion of this measure, will no doubt secure for them from your Honourable Board the most favourable attention. - - . The first objection which his Excellency has taken is to the duration of the contract, which had been extended from three to five years, as was believed to have been sanctioned in the case of the Chinese. The limitation of the contract to a term of three years is made a sine quá non to the al- lowance of the Act; but the provision which the Governor General leaves it to you to enact for securing the industrial residence of the immigrant for an additional two years, is such as ought to afford a tolerable guarantee for a continuance of his services. - The principles upon which the Governor General considers that the employer should con- tribute to the expense of introducing the immigrant are also well worthy of your attention. The Administrator of the Government will sketch out as briefly and as plainly as possible the mode in which he would propose that you should act upon them. - He would recommend that all immigration, whether public or private, should be put on the same footing; that the party to whom the labourer is first indentured should pay to the public, at whose expense he has been brought into the Colony, a sum equal to one half of the bounty money fixed by the Governor and Council; and that if the immigrant should not, after the expiration of three years, re-indenture himself to his original employer, the latter should receive back from the immigration fund two-fifths of his original payment, the immi- grant paying to the Colony the fixed sum of 2 l. 10 s. for each or either of the two years during which he may not be under contract. Supposing, for example, that the bounty fixed for an immigrant's introduction were 50 dollars, the party to whom he is first indentured would have to pay to the public fund at once 25 dollars. If the immigrant should not re-indenture himself for another two years, his original employer would receive back 10 dollars, or five dollars, as the case may be, while there would be a payment from the immigrant or from his new employer, to the Colony of 25 dollars, or 12 dollars. Thus every immigrant would cost the employer five dollars per annum; to the public his annual charge would also be five dollars, if he carried out an industrial residence of five years. If he worked for four years, his annual expense to the public would be four dollars and a half, and if for three years only, it would amount to somewhat less than four dollars. The recommendation of the Governor General that the payments by the employer should be made at once in money, is one also which it will doubtless appear to you to be advisable to adopt. It will save a great deal of difficulty and embarrassment on all sides. Nor does the Administrator of the Government anticipate any objection on the part of your Honourable Board to the Governor in Chief's suggestion, that in the case of an immigrant's re-indenture for the further period of five years, the employer should pay a con- tribution to the immigration fund, equal to what he paid for the first five years' service of the same immigrant. Government House, 6 October 1857. (signed) Ja. Walker. Enclosure 6, in No. 1. (No. 119.) Government House, St. Vincent, Sir, 9 October 1857. I HAVE the honour to forward a message which I sent on the 6th instant, to the Legislature on the subject of the objections which you had taken to the three Acts for raising money for immigration purposes. 2. Bills have been passed in precise accordance with the recommendations contained in the message, and will be forwarded to your Excellency as soon as they can be copied. 3. In support of the view which I expressed respecting the taxation of arrowroot as an article of export, I enclose the produce return of the Island for 1856, from which your Excellency will learn the number of estates in the several parishes on which nothing scarcely WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 23 scarcely is grown except arrowroot. The column professing to return the number of labourers on each property is worth nothing as statistical information, for the Act under which the returns are sent into the Treasury was passed during the apprenticeship system and required a statement of the number of “apprenticed” labourers on each property. 4. Union Island and Carionan export nothing but cotton; and there is no cocoa grown and exported by the labouring population. 5. Your Excellency is most probably aware that almost every estate in the Island has its own shipping place. Few proprietors have weighing beams, and it would have been therefore impossible to have enacted that the sugar should be taxed by weight. In Barbados, and in most other places where an export duty was raised, the sugar has been taxed by the truss of the hogshead. 6. I hope that your Excellency will now feel yourself at liberty to authorise me to assent to these Bills. 7. Before putting aside your present Despatch, I feel somewhat at a loss as to whether it is my duty to take any notice of two positions which you have advanced, and in which I do not concur. But as my silence respecting them might be interpreted into assent, I think there can be no harm, if, whilst avoiding any public discussion on the subject, I take this opportunity of frankly and respectfully stating to your Excellency my opinion; firstly, that the planters are not the only class who are likely to derive benefit from a wholesome immigration. The huckster and the dry goods merchant will reap as much from the immigrants' dealings as from those of the creole labourer; and secondly, that the labouring classes are just as much represented in the St. Vincent Legislature as in the Parliament of Lngland, and that they could not have a much greater extension of the franchise here without extinguishing altogether the franchise of the upper and middle classes of the Island. IBut whilst giving vent to this opinion I trust that you will not consider me insensible to the exceptional condition of society which exists in these Islands, and which makes it the duty of the Government to watch over the interests of the humblest classes with even more vigilance than in other countries. I have, &c. His Excellency the Governor in Chief, (signed) Jas. Walker. Barbados. Enclosure 7, in No. 1. (No. 16.) * The Administrator of the Government to the Honourable the President and Members of Legislative Council (and the House of Assembly). THE Administrator of the Government has to inform your Honourable Board, that the Governor in Chief has expressed very great regret that it has not been in his power to assent to the three money bills which were lately passed by the Legislature to provide for the expenses of immigration. - - His Excellency has formed a decided opinion that those for whose benefit immigration is carried on should bear its expense; and although on former occasions in other Colonies a different principle has been sanctioned, yet, on the ground that all legislation on this subject has been hitherto in a great measure experimental, his Excellency is convinced that the principle which he has enunciated is the one that ought to be adopted. His Excellency, however, bearing in mind the liberality manifested by the Legislature in the provision made for the public debt last year (which would have formed a legitimate charge on the general revenue) has no objection that the immigration fund should receive from the revenue an amount not greater than the debt, provided that a tax is laid on the principal articles of exported produce in support of the fund. - To carry out the views of his Excellency, your Honourable Board will perceive that the three Acts referred to will require to be amended to a certain extent. The alteration which would be necessary in the “Immigration Fund Act,” has already been adverted to, and with regard to the “Amended Export Tax Act,” his Excellency expresses an objection to a tax being laid upon arrowroot, cocoa, cotton, charcoal, and firewood. This is evidently on the assumption that these articles are only produced by Small growers, who being the cultivators of the soil themselves do not require immi- gration. But in this Colony many of these products are raised in large quantities, and by a class to whom immigration would prove a valuable boon, and the administrator of the Government would suggest to your Honourable Board that the Bill should be amended by omitting charcoal and firewood. The measure by adopting this course will be rendered more perfect, as it would be completely assimilated with the original measure which was passed by your Honourable Board during the past Session. The Administrator of the Government, in conclusion, desires to express his confidence that your Honourable Board will give to these measures your most earnest attention, and feels assured that you will have due regard to the objections of his Excellency the Governor in Chief, and to the importance of the subject brought under your notice. Government House, 6 October 1857. (signed) Jas, PPalker. O. l 3. R. ST. WIN CENT. gº ºssº Encl. 7, in No. 1. 1 24 , * PAPERS RELATING TO THE Enclosure 8, in No. 1. | ST. V. I N C E N T. ACCOUNT of PRoduce Manufactured on the several Estates in this Colony, during the Crop of 1856. ‘5 ‘s . . Sº-t = SUGAR. # ! # . ‘5 ‘5 's 2 ‘5 # ‘s ‘5 o g; - 3 # 3 3 .. 3 ## 3 à | # 4 || 3 g | ## -- ~~~~~ * : * * ~~. -- *-*. -ſ-ſ-| #g ##| | ##| || 3 à | ## ā ā #3 #3 | #3 Hhds. | Trs. Bls £3 ## Čá § 3 || 3: & # £3 & 3 | #3 CHARLoTTE PARISH : - * | Adelphi, Upper - wº – f – es * &ºmº 13 | º * I gº &= 1,284 — ( –– – I, -— *g Adelphi, New - - - 83 gº * iš, - - || 124,168 1,392 || - - - - || – || - - || 100 Bellevue - * tºº e T 16 10 33 40 - tº 173,251 3,841 | - • f – tº * tº - || 100 Colonarie Vale - - , 102 I * 50 | – - | 185,360 || 4,500 || – sºs tº wº — - - | 120 Grand Sable gº sº gºn 434 || – tº . . . 175 º - || 819,830 | 16,608 || - - || - gº - I - - 280 Iambou Vale 4-º $º gº 44 &E's * 10 5 73,960 960 | 500 | - ſº * tº - 25 Mount Bentinck – sº * 250 * — I 115 - - 462,500 || 10,810 || - - F - e- smºs º ºs - || 187 Mount William - º sº 150 | – || – | 60 gº - || 236,544 || 5,700 || – || – – f – 3- Mount Greenan - º * 71 *e tºº 10 || - - | 181,440 2,289 || - • j, - - I - I - $º 98 Orange Hill * = Gº gº 140 * – 43 is - || 253,800 3,936 || – * º - || – || – gºe 85 Park Hill - - - - 133 – – 37 sº - || 217,504 || 3,441 — tº-e tºº * * Langley Park — *sº tº 64 * *sº 27 | - - || 107,520 2,700 * * sºme tºsº {º Prospect, New - sº - I. 98 *º — I 26 27 147,000 2,496 2,700 || - gº * | * wº 80 Sans Souci - º * tºº 205 IO 10 72% - tº 356,160 7,250 | – || – * — , ; Spring tºº * * * 75 * *= I8 sº - I 12,500 I,728 || - - I - * > * tº * 90 Tourama – * £º ſº 266 * &ms I26 gº - || 446,880 | 12,600 — I — * — *s Union ſº es tºº Qº 277 ; 6 *- 45 140 420,000 4,514 14,000 || – *g * * Waterloo - agº &= - º 290 º *g 100 º gº 543,170 10,000 | - tº tº gº * º * 186 Hopewell - tº- * tº º * ºs tºº * gº $º sº gº i º - I - - I - $º 4,500 12 * º Messopotamia – tºº * | * tº * * *= * gº gº º ºs sº fº tº tº - || 31,450 *sº *sº * Richland Park - tº tº º º * *" =e º * > . tº tº I wº tº º * sº - || 24,055 | – || - - 20 Nutmeg Grove - º tº gº gº * *º- gº * tº º I º * tº tº tº - 41,437 * tºº — Glenside - tº sº tº º * sº tºº gº º sº I º sº I tº * | * - 34,088 gº * sº Careire - * * * | * wº e- * * $ºs es * | * º, tº tº ºs sº- 7,770 sº * * Cliff Cottage sº tºs sº I º gº *- - I - * - sº * I gº - I - - 1 - - 14,748 *--> tºº gº Fancy sº *g *g sº ºs s smºs * tº * sº tº a tº * { as * tº - | 40,680 tº º gº 46 Owja – ºp gº tº sº º * *sº <=s - - || - tº tº * : * tº sº - || 50,635 gº &==º gººms Small cultivators - *ge * I sº * tºs * sº- ſº º gº º º gº *g tº , - || 13,005 * wº- * ToTAL - - - 2,798 } 27 43 986 172 4,861,547 96,349 || 17,200 |262,298 12 || – • | 1,427 ST. GEORGE's PARISH : . t Argyle sº £º “º gº 149 sº -*. 52 - - 300,000 5,200 — 1 - * * tºº Bellair tº * es g- 82 - 4 | I4 24 || 139,293 1,260 | 2,520 & º * tººls *sº Belvidere — tº tº- *gº II9 I º 59 gº sº 221,043 5,900 * assºs ëms * * Brighton - g= * * I I. 3 1 wº * - 5 18,500 | - gº 500 *msº sº tºº tºº Caruth * * º * : * wº ** * º & me tº ºs as . * ſº I gº - 21,375 || – *g tºº. Calder and Calder Ridge - 189 *E* 2 47 * †-te 321,300 4,606 || – || – * gºsº sº Cane Hall - tº-º * gº 90 * 7 33 gº dº 143,721 3,269 || - tº º gº ** gº º 80 Carrapan — tºº *- {- 88 +-ºº: es 49 e- tº-3 159,159 5,260 sºmes * gº sº-º sº Diamond, Lower “sº * 54 * sms 26 * gº 95,000 3,170 *smºs — * gº wº & 2 hhds. : - Escape – - - - 28 * º 13 || - g- 47,040 1,300 — * * *sºmº * Fair Hall - * * sº 58 * tº-º-º: 16 tº sº 111,440 , 2,030 tºº. tºº — sº * Fountain - - - - 13 * 2 28 52 2:33,843 2,800 5,000 || - tº I gº s wº 70 Liberty Lodge - - - 74 6 — 14 + 9 101,640 1,334 872 | - * sº sº sº 40 Mariaqua - tº º gº 72 4 3 gºss * 30 112,600 | - - 3,000 tº-sºº * * - Mount Pleasant - * gº 125 *s I 3 97% 199,100 300 9,750 º * {º gº Ratho Mill - - - - 57 *- * 17 § 14 102,330 1,513 | 1,344 - - || – || - - | 18 Richmond Hill - * {-º 72 gºs 2 24; - gº 122,000 2,173 || – * – b – *g Rivulet - - - - 64 * #º 48 || – - || 118,272 5,608 || – sº i º - ; – | - gºs 8 Redemption - sº º 54 sº tºº 5 13 85,536 450 | 1,287 | - - — <- sº 50 Glen - gº ſº ge * | * * * 5 I gº * 900 90 70 — | – tºº *e Sion Hill - tºs sº * } = - || 96 * 17 gº * = } 102,400 1,729 || – | – || – — ; – Villa - - - - - 64 56 9 || - gº 65 174,720 | - - 5,466 || - * -s º ºs - 25 Kingstown Park - tº * 74 || – 2 II . 17 | 111,336 959 1,379 || - - I – f – tºs 45 Whim e-º sº tºº * } = sº sº – f – º {º} * . . gºs cºs * * : *s - 22,300 || – || – &mº l{ilburnie Lodge - tº- * } = * * º tº * | * tº is º as * * as sº 3,360 | 400 || – gº 5 Orange Grove - sº * I s sº * *- sº * * * - I - sº * * | * sº 3,450 - I - tº- 10 Joseph’s Land and Ribishie - || - - || – || - * -: * : * - I - as | * * | * - 42,860 tºº gº * l)auphine - sº * * I sas º — J. — * tºº {º tº gº - I - * | * - || 21,750 * gº * Rose Cottage * * * | * * * ſº &- sº I Gº * I sº sm as * as - 15,120 * * * sº Southwood - tº- tºº * * * gº tºº * e- gº emºs - I - - I - * | *s - 32,274 *º-sº tº sº. " * ToTAL - - - 1,657 166 38 478 # 3263 3,021,168 || 48,951 || 31,188 | 162,489 || 400 || - - 351 x- & 2 hhds. - . - - ST. A N DREW’s PARISH : t Camden Park - - - 126 * — 4 h. 31 28 201,600 3,300 2,800 *sº – — * Cane Grove gº {º tº- 200 tº- - 54 37 336,000 5,184 2,960 * * — * JXope - - - - - .86 I - 9 * | 32 I 19,652 811 2,880 —- ſº - **s * Montrose - - - - - 108 gº — 24 h. 27 | - - . 183.600 3,900. * *º- –. * , tº-º Lance Joyeaux - * e- 26 1 sº º {-e * & 38,688 |. - tºº 800 * - *s * Pembroke - - - - 151 1 tº-º 8 92 233,236 || 981 8,832 -- . - 1 – * Penniston's - - - - 70 – gº 14 || - - 117,600 1,344 — * º tºº *sº Queensbury sº * gº 20 * - 20 -- . . . 1 #| - - - - 31,672 | - - - - - * => * - sº - || 70 Vermont gº * * - gº gº ess * te tº tº lºs sº tº I ºp - - £º 8,540 sº º gº 9 TOTAL - - - || 787 3 20 | 28 h. 145 189 "| 1,262,048 lºo 18,272 8,540 – ’ j : - || 79 WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 1 25 6. ‘5 ‘s i SUGAR. É § 2 ‘5 ‘s 's 2 a 3 || 3 “s sº - .# * } | 3 c | # # # 3 # | 3 3 g ## | - 3 : § 3 ă ă | 3 g 33 | # à | # 3 āś ## -: Q) "... q) H O : 2 º' 2. ~~ Hhds. Trs. Bls. #: £: Čá śā Śā #3 £5 Éš #3 |-- –– ST. PATRICK's PARISH: - | Belleisle - - - | - -> - :- º - I - * - - - I - - - 3,765 * - — Cumberland - -- - . 73 - — 20 - - 130,086 1,900 | — - * — – Rearton’s - - º - 13 -> 9 6% - º 22,960 604 — - =s - tº- Lance Mahaut - º * : - - — 15 || - * * * º 3,750 | -., | – || – || – - *- Mount Wynne - sº - 63 - , 8% 28 - * - 131,506 2,764 - - || 22,000 || – - •- Peter's Hope - * - 116 – - 26% 20 152,007, 2,298 1,600 ~ || – * * Reversion - - 4- - I - º - 4- tº- * - * | * * tº i º º- I tº - || 24,860 4- - - Rutland Vale - * - | 197 || – 23 58 - - 342,884 5,720 - - || -- - * - - - . 153 Walli?abou - - - - || 75' | 2 || – ; 24 6 || 131,183 2,500 634 | – | – || – ºt- Tayou Hill - - º - I - - - - º - º - - || – * : *- - 5,488 *s - - Palmiste Park - as tº a sº- º - - tº- - I - tº ºr as - I - tº , me - || 12,200 sº - tº- 1 I Jack Vincent (Cumberland) - || - tºº - - * - - - 600 - - I - *se 2,000 *E* - - Peter Kirby – ditto - - || - - || – — - . . - || - - 200 - - || - - 1,400 || – — — John Bristol (Lance Mahaut) || – es e- - sº * W ºn º 400 - - I - tº 800 * - * Bright. Williams - * tº - || – tºe * * * : *s sº it - * * gº - I - - 14,000 || 116 - - Small Cultivators º * : *- - - - tº * - I - º - - - - I - - || 139,633 * - * ToTAL - - - 537 || 2 || 56 163 + 26 915,576 15,786 2,234 226,146 | 116 || - - | 164 Sºr. DAVID’s PARISE : - Belmont - - is ºw 43 - - 1 * | - º 68,800 140 ºsmºs - *- - — Iłose Hall - --> gº 45 -- * l ; ; – - 72,000 I 35 *s - º- — — Petit Bordell and Sharp - 77 1 - 11 26 116,500 990 2,340 - * - --> Richmond Vale - gºs - || 138 - 4 71 207,000 381 6,390 || - - asº - - 90 Tronmaca - - sº *- 35 - - º - º º 54,000 *- — " --- * — — Palmyra - - tº º "I wº - 86 - * * ºw tº 94,600 * *g - wº — — Wallibou - - - - 53 || 78 - 15 - - || 106,526 1,650 - - || - - || – || - — ; 25 Richmond - - se - 181 - 5 79 337,568 500 7,110 — * — – Small Cultivators -> - - - * - º - I - sº i - - I - - || – - 54,120 - - * Total - - - 572 | 165 -- 38 176 | 1,056,994 | 3,796 | 15,840 54,120 | – ||--|| 115 - - i GRENADINES : . ! | Industry, Bequia - - - 32 - — 12% 9 : 49,600 | 1,455 979 - - || – – 40 Paget Farm - - - - | – | 153 2 # 8 33,521 253 | 840 996 | – | 1,726 24 Spring * - - 47 — – 21 ; ; 6 75,200 2,514 672 : – - * + - -> 45 Union tº - º * * * - || 33 — i. 23 hlids. 7 39,072 | 1,400 793 - - sºme R - - 42 Grand Bay, Mustique - * || - I (35 - cº 5 13,400 || – - 500 | - — — tº- Canouan Island - º sº I dº -- - * tº- - - - : " - " - || – - - - - , – 48 sº 19,042 -* Union.- - - - - - - || – – - - || - - - - || - - - - || - - || – 6,591 : — Cinnamom Garden - - || - -> * * * *- : * - - * 'i s - I - ; 2,000 | – — – Friendship - - - - || - - | – || – | - - || - - ) - - || - - , - - 2,610 | – | – | – Reform - - * as I - * - - t- - - - I - - º - I - º 5,470 * - - Lower Bay – - º * - º- - - <--> - gº tº - a tº tº- || - - 500 – — * Isle A”Quatre - ºme - tº * - * * | * * º tº sº - ", º tº | 3,300 - – || – Total - - - 79 | 84 218 |23h. 36, 35 210,793 5,622 || 3,784 | 14,924 – 27,359 151 ! | R. E. C. A P I T U L A T I O N. * - -*** * *-*. i | ºrn o ‘5 ‘s ſ | O S wº O O © tº O O . O , O ſº * of all Q) ot, 92 ra C/2 U2 Q1) wn $2 (a Ça e Q - -s . .5 % Tº 2. $3 . 5 § # ; ‘E as rc F. 5 ... P A R IS H E S. # 5 ## ää # 5 # ă ă 5 § E & .8 , * - Hhds. | Trs. Bls. §§ ſ. 3. ă ă & 3 || 3: . . ; £3 || || 3 || 3 Charlotte parish - - - 2,798, 27 r 43 986 172 |4,861,547 | 96.349 17,200 262,298 12 - - 1,427 st George's min - - i.e., | 166 as K.,& M 396, 802.10s son alass 162,439 400 3 º - y 57 - - - - 2 hhds. ſ ~V2 y 5 .. - 2 t) 2' 5 - º- sº 51 St. Andrew's parish - - 787 3 20 asº.) 189 1,262,048 || 15,520 | 18,272 8,540 - I gº - 79 St. David's parish - - 572 | 165 || – as 176 loººo, sº lºsio also - - -] us t St. Patrick's parish - º 537 2 56 163} 26 915,576 15,786 2,234 226,146 116 - - 164 • | . ; : t - | | The Grenadines - - - || 79 || 34 218 º hiº) 35 210,793 5,622 3,784 || 14,924 || – || 27,359 151 | - | - ----- ToTAL - - - 6,4303 || 397 375 * ou, lºsis, 1860s, sºns 128,17 528 27,359 |2,287 E. E. Treasury, St. Vincent. J. M. Grant, Treasurer. O. 13. R 2 126 PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. VINCENT. * (No. 127.) Government House, St. Vincent, Sir, 24 October 1857. I HAVE the honour to forward to your Excellency, in duplicate, authenticated copies of.- 1. “An Act to alter the Law of Contracts with regard to Immigrants, and for the encouragement of Immigration, and for the general Regulation of Immigrants.” 2. “An Act for laying an additional Tax on produce to provide a Fund for Immigration purposes.” 3. “An Act to appropriate a portion of the General Revenue for Immigration Purposes.” And, 4. An “Act to authorise the raising of Loans of Money for Immigration Purposes, and to secure and provide for the repayment of such Loans.” - - These Acts are all accompanied by the Attorney General’s report on them in duplicate. It does not occur to me to add anything on the subject of these Acts to what I have stated in my Despatches Nos. 118 and 119 of the 9th instant. - . I have, &c. His Excellency the Governor in Chief, (signed) J. Walker. º Barbados. - (No. 183.) - Windward Islands, Barbados, Sir, 28 October 1857. I DELAYED replying officially to your Despatch of the 9th instant, (No. 118, Legislative,) until I should be in possession of a copy of the Act therein referred to, and which I received yesterday, duly authenticated. - 2. Having already made you aware of the views which I entertain on the immi- gration question, you will not be surprised to learn, that I attach much greater importance than the Executive Council of St. Vincent appear to do, to the considerable diminution in the amount of the contribution to the Immigration Fund by the employers of labour, which is sanctioned by this Act. 3. The principle being recognised that the planters collectively should bear the expense of immigration, it appears to me that both Sound policy and equity dictate that the greater portion of it should fall on the individuals who receive, the direct benefit of the labour. 4. As, however I purpose transmitting the Immigration Act without delay to the Secretary of State, it seems unnecessary to discuss it further. I shall simply contrast the provisions of the St. Vincent Act with those of the Colonies with whose legislation on the subject I am most familiar. 5. In British Guiana, the established bounty is $ 50 (50 dollars), and that is considered a fair estimate for the passage money of the Indian immigrants, though it is, I should think, rather below the average rate. The employer pays the full amount on entering into con- tract, but two fifths are returnable in case the labourer should not be reindentured at the expiration of three years. Thus the employer pays 10 dollars per annum. In your message you estimate the bounty at 50 dollars, and you propose that the employer should pay five dollars per annum, or precisely one half what is paid in Guiana. In Grenada the employer pays half the bounty for a three years' contract, so that, assuming it to be 50 dol- lars, he pays 83 dollars per annum. The objection which I took to the Guiana Ordinance and the Grenada Act, and which is referred to in the last paragraph of your Message, was founded on the inadequacy of the contribution by the employer of 1 l. 9s. 2d. sterling per annum to the Immigration Fund. Under the St. Vincent Act the employer will pay even a smaller contribution towards the expense of the back passage. 6. I have considered it due to myself to place on record the objections which I entertain to the St. Vincent Immigration Act as finally passed, and having done so, I shall leave it to the Secretary of State to determine as to the degree of weight to be attached to them. - I have, &c. His Honor the Administrator, - (signed) F. Hincks. &c. &c. &c. - (No. 184.) Windward Islands, Barbados, Sir, 29 October 1857. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 9th instant, transmitting copy of your Message to the Legislature of St. Vincent on the subject of my objections to the Acts for raising money for immigration purposes, and your subsequent Despatch of the 27th." WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS, 127 27th instant, enclosing authenticated copies of the several amended Acts passed by the Council and Assembly, and assented to by you, which I shall lose no time in transmitting to the Secretary of State. 2. I retain the opinion which I have already communicated to you, that arrowroot ought not to be subjected to an export tax for immigration purposes. ... I believe that the produce of the tax will be inconsiderable, and that it will, in all probability, cause irritation among the small cultivators, which it would be sound policy to avert. Cotton is only produced in the adjacent islands, and, on principle, I object to its being taxed. About six dollars per annum will be raised from the cultivators in Canowan and Union Island, who will not, I imagine, derive any benefit from immigration. Cocoa appears to be cultivated to a very limited extent in St. Vincent. The tax on this article will not amount to 30s. annually, taking the return in the Blue Book to be correct, which gives 118 cwt., whereas the state- ment in your Despatch only gives 528 lbs., the duty on which would be one-third. 3. I fully appreciate the spirit in which you have offered the rémarks contained in the 7th paragraph of your Despatch, to which I shall briefly reply. I am willing to admit that shopkeepers and tradesmen, and perhaps other classes, will derive a benefit from the dealings of immigrants; but these are incidental advantages, for which I do not think that they should be taxed. I have not alleged that the labouring classes in St. Vinčent are less represented in Parliament than the same classes in England, and I have expressed no opinion whatever as to an extension of the elective franchise in that Colony. I am there- fore able to subscribe unreservedly to your own opinion, that “the exceptional condition of society which exists in these islands makes it the duty of the Government to watch over the interests of the humblest classes with even more vigilance than in other countries.” Acting on that rule, I have felt it my duty to place on record my opinion that the pro- prietary body should not be permitted to impose taxes on the labouring classes to pay for the introduction of immigrant labour to compete with their own. I have, &c. His Honor the Administrator, (signed) F. Hincks. &c. &c. &c. — No. 2. — (No. 3.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. Windward Islands, Barbados, 4 January 1858. (Received, 6 February 1858.) Sir, (Answered, No. 1, 27 February 1858, page 140.) I HAVE the honour to transmit to you the copy of a Despatch from Mr. Walker, enclosing a copy of resolutions passed by the Council and Assembly of St. Vin- cent on the subject of immigration, and reporting the appointment of Mr. James H. Brown as an Agent for the purpose set forth in the resolutions. I have, &c. (signed) F. Hincks. Enclosure in No. 2. tº - St. Vincent, Government House, Sir, - 19 December 1857. I TRANSMIT to your Excellency copies of several resolutions which were passed by the Council and Assembly on the 15th instant, and I have the honour to acquaint you, that, by the advice of the Executive Council, I have appointed Mr. James H. Brown to be the Agent to proceed to Madeira, the Canaries, and the Cape de Verde Islands, for the purpose set forth in the resolutions. & - I have, &c. His Excellency the Governor in Chief, * (signed) Jas, Walker. |Barbados. ST. VINCENT. *sº No. 2. Governor Hincks to I. 4. I the Right Hon. II. Labouchere, N Ps January 1858. * 1so Pecë 9, Ex. En :/ * 18; ~"“lºsure. 2. `--. Sub.r. ~“ºciosº, `-- 38 - PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST, VINCENT. *=mº Sub-Enclosure in Enclosure No. 2. Besolved, THAT the present paucity of labour in the island is likely to endanger, the successful reaping of the coming crop. . - * * * * * That before making any application to Her Majesty's Government for immigrants from the East Indies, it is desirable to ascertain what amount of labour is available in the islands adjacent to the coast of Africa. . . . & That for this purpose an agent, to be appointed by the Administrator of the Government, be sent to Madeira, the Canaries, aud the Cape de Verds, and that the sum of 150l. be granted out of the Immigration Fund to defray the expenses of such Agent. That exclusive of the said sum of 150l., the Agent shall receive as remuneration for his labour and trouble for each labourer engaged by him under contract, and landed in this island, 10s. for each effective labourer of the age of 14 years and upwards, and 5s. for each labourer from six years to 14 years, the same to be paid out of the Immigration Fund. . No. 3. Governor Hincks to the Right Hon. Lord Stanley, M.P. 7 May 1858. ...Aosuº * Rºš:- * Page 140. That a message be sent to Council requesting the concurrence of the Board in the foré- going resolutions, and that it will join in an application to his Excellency the Administrator &d - § - of the Government for payment to the Agent of the aforesaid sum of 150l. - —No. 3. — (No. 22.) . . Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable - -- - - the Lord Stanley, M. P. • * . . - - - Windward Islands, Barbados, 7 May 1858. (Received, 31 May 1858.) My Lord, (Answered, No. 2, 29 June 1858, p. 146.) I HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship the copy of a Despatch from Lieutenant-Governor Eyre, reporting the views entertained in the Colony of St. Vincent regarding Mr. Secretary Labouchere's Despatch of the 25th” Feb- ruary, on the subject of emigration of captured Africans to the West Indies. _2. There can be no doubt that the sugar planters in St. Vincent, as in all the West Indian Colonies, with perhaps the single exception of Barbados, are most anxious to obtain a supply of labourers from other countries. . | 3. The only point in Mr. Eyre's Despatch on which I deem it necessary to offer any remark, is the proposed rate of wages. In Barbados the established rates are from 10 d. to 1 s. per day, which prevail concurrently with an abundant Supply of labourers and very high prices of land, viz., from 75 l. to 100 l. per acre for plantations, including the buildings. 4. The proposed rate in St. Vincent is 8 d. a day, with house and provision grounds, and 10 d. to 1 S. without; but Mr. Eyre states, that he has been informed by certain leading planters, that if the immigrants would work on Saturdays, as well as on the other five days, they would be willing to pay them 1 s. per day, in addition to gratuitous medical attendance, house, and provision grounds. 5. I must record my opinion that this proposition affords additional evidence of the mistaken policy too generally pursued by the planters in these Colonies. I have On other occasions pointed out the inexpediency of mixing up the questions of rent and wages, and shall not trouble your Lordship with any further remarks on that head. - - 6. The estimated value of a house and ground in St. Vincent appears to be 2 d. to 4 d. per day, as labourers not living on the estate receive 10 d. to 1 s., while those in the enjoyment of a house and ground receive 8 d. Mr. Eyre states, that “a considerable number of influential proprietors and employers of labour” are willing to pay 1 s. a day, in addition to house and provision grounds and medical attendance to the immigrants, provided they agree to work on Saturdays, 7. I do WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUs. 129 7. I do not think that such a condition should be imposed; but the offer proves conclusively that the St. Vincent planters can afford to pay I s. 2d. to I s. 4d. per day for labour, and my belief is that if they fixed their wages at those rates, they would obtain a considerable supply of labourers on the spot, as well as from Barbados. - 8. It is a remarkable fact that a considerable emigration is constantly taking place from Colonies, which are importing immigrants at great expense to the public, to other Colonies in their neighbourhood. The obvious cause is the difference in the rates of wages. There is as great a demand for labourers in Grenada as in St. Vincent, and yet a stream of emigration is constantly flowing from the former Island to Trinidad. 9. I cannot be surprised at the efforts made by the planters to keep down the rates of wages; but I am persuaded that unless they raise them to 1 s. 4d. or I s. 6 d. a day in those Colonies where land is abundant and cheap, they will be unable to obtain an adequate supply of labour. e - - I have, &c. (signed) F. Hincks. a----. . ex: -º- as - ~ **** *-- Enclosure in No. 3. (No. 25.) Government House, St. Vincent, Sir, 15 April 1858. I HAVE laid before the Legislature of this Colony the Secretary of Sate's Despatch marked St. Vincent, No. 128, of the 25th February 1858, communicating the steps he had taken to promote the emigration of captured Africans and of bounty emigrants from Sierra Leone to the West Indies. 2. I transmit extracts of communications which I have received from the respective - g & tº e ſº § S branches of the Legislature in reference to this subject. The remainder of such communi- ºr cations refer to the possible transportation of mutineers or insurgents from India to such Colonies as might be willing to receive them, and will be sent in a separate Despatch, as I have thought it desirable to keep the two questions entirely distinct. 3. As regards the introduction of liberated Africans, or of bounty emigrants, from Africa, both the Council and Assembly are unanimous in desiring that as large a number as possible should at once be introduced into St. Vincent, expressing their readiness to agree to adopt the 16th clause of the agreement entered into by the Emigration Commissioners for the passage of Africans, and generally to agree to any other conditions which Her Majesty's Government may think it right to impose. They state further, that funds are already provided for meeting the necessary expenditure, and that a recent Act has amply provided from the time of their arrival for the careful attendance to any immigrants who might be introduced into the Colony, and for the supply to them of adequate food, sufficient medical attendance, and prompt and remunerative employment. In all these particulars I am able fully to substantiate the statement of the legislative bodies. 4. With regard to the rate of wages to be held out to the intending emigrants, the Legislature appears to have thought it preferable that I should state the existing current wages than that it should itself go into the question. The present ordinary pay in St. Vincent of an able-bodied labourer, not provided with cottage or provision ground, varies from 10 d. to 1s. per day for a day’s work nominally of mine hours. But practically almost all work is done by task work, under which the labourer is cnabled to execute in five or six hours that which if working by time would occupy the whole nine hours. As soon as the task is done, the labourer can either proceed to earn a further sum by doing a second task, or part of one, or he can employ himself in cultivating his own provision ground, or in any other way he may think fit. Labourers who are provided with a cottage and provision ground on the estates where they work, receive about 8 d. per day, instead of 10 d. to 1s. In both cases women and children are paid proportionably to the able bodied labourer according to their powers of sworking. }. both cases also the labourer rarely works more than five days in the week, Saturday being usually taken for his own purposes, and of course not paid for by the master. r 5. Since the Secretary of State's Despatch of the 25th February 1858 has become generally known, a considerable number of influential proprietors and employers of labourers have authorised me to state, that if the intending emigrants from Africa are willing to work (or do a task) on Saturdays, as well as on the other five week-days, they are willing to undertake to give them I s. a day for wages, and, in addition, to provide gratuitously medical attendance, house, and provision ground, it being understood that by a day's work O. 13. s - R 4 IS ST. VINCENT. Encl. in No. 3. 130. PA PERS RELATING TO THE St. VINCENT. *- is meant either nine hours' work, or its equivalent in taskwork, according to the rates of taskwork at present adopted in the country, and under which, as I have already remarked, an able-bodied man may complete his day's work in five or six hours, according to his skill and industry. w If the immigrants do not like to undertake to work on a Saturday, they would receive the same scale of pay as at present given in the Colony, namely, from 10 d. to 1s. per day, without house or provision ground, or 8 d. per day with house and provision ground, to which medical attendance would be added. 6. In conclusion, I would beg to point out as strongly as I can the great want of labour in St. Vincent, where so many fine estates and large tracts of available country are still lying waste, from the insufficiency of the labour in the Colony to cultivate them. I would call attention to the strenuous efforts which have been made by the planters during the last three years in every way to make the most of the labour they have—efforts which have resulted in fully doubling the exports of the Colony within that short period. And I would state my conviction that, large as this increase of production is, it might again be easily doubled during the next three years if a sufficient supply of additional labour could only be provided. Under these circumstances, I would respectfully solicit Her Majesty's Government to urge upon the Emigration Commissioners the peculiarly great advantages offered by St. Vincent to either liberated Africans or bounty emi- grants. - It is one of the very healthiest of our tropical possessions, can spare abundance of land for provision grounds for the labourers, offers the highest rate of wages, with concurrent advantages, and has made ample provision for carefully receiving and satisfactorily pro- viding for any number of labourers who may arrive. - I have, &c. His Excellency (signed) E. Eyre. the Governor in Chief. - Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 3. ExTRACT from his Honor the President of the Board of Legislative Council's Letter to his Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, dated Council Chamber, St. Vincent, 8 April 1858. - - 1. I HAVE been requested by the members of the Board of Legislative Council to acknowledge your Excellency's joint Message, No. 6, dated 7th April instant, covering two several Despatches from the Secretary of State, dated respectively the 17th and 25th February last. - 2. In replying to the one dated the 25th February, relative to promoting the immigration of captured Africans and others from Africa to the West Indies, the Board think that it would be most desirable that the Colony should obtain from the Government as many liberated Africans or other emigrants from Africa as can be procured, and will agree to adopt the 16th clause of the agreement entered into by the Emigration Commissioners for the passage of Africans to this Government, the means for which have already been pro- vided, and to submit to any other conditions which Her Majesty's Government may think it right or necessary to impose. 3. The Board is of opinion that the Immigration Act passed in the last Session of the Legislature amply provides for the careful attendance to such immigrants, and the supply to them of adequate food, sufficient medical care, and prompt remunerative employment from the time of their arrival. I have, &c. (signed) H. E. Sharpe, - President of Council. Extract from his Honor the Speaker of Assembly's Letter to his Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, dated Committee Rooms, Court House, 8 April 1858. I HAVE been instructed by the Honourable House of Assembly to acknowledge your Excellency's joint Message, No. 6, dated 7th April 1858, covering, two several Despatches from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated respectively the 17th and 26th of February last. - - In west INDIA coloniES AND MAURITIUS. 13 L In replying to the one dated 25th February relative to promoting the emigration of eaptured and other Africans to the West Indies, the House thinks that it would be most desirable that the Colony should obtain from the Government, as many liberated Africans or other emigrants from Africa as can be procured, and will readily agree to adopt the sixteenth clause of the agreement, entered into by the |Emigration Commissioners, for the passage of Africans to this Colony (the means for which have already been provided by the Legislature), and to any other conditions which Hop Vſ ajesty’ s Government may think it right to impose. The House is also of opinion that the Immigration Act, passed in the last session of the Legislature, amply provides (from the time of their arrival) for the careful attendance to such immigrants, and the supply to them of adequate food, sufficient medical attendance, and prompt remunerative employment. - I have, &c. (signed) G. M. Browne, - Speaker. — No. 4. — (No. 31.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable the Lord Stanley, M.P. Barbados, 14 June 1858. (Received, 19 July 1858.) My Lord, (Answered, No. 6, 31 July 1858, p. 147.) I Have the honour to transmit to your Lordship the copy of a Despatch from the Lieutenant Governor of St. Vincent, the object of which is to ascertain whether Her Majesty's Government would be prepared to apply to Parliament to guarantee a loan for that Colony not exceeding 20,000 l., for immigration purposes. - 2. Having no reason to think it probable that your Lordship will be prepared to recommend such a measure, I forbear entering into questions of detail. I may, however, observe, that if Her Majesty's Government were prepared to assume the responsibility of making any further proposition to Parliament with a view of promoting immigration, it would be desirable that it should embrace those Colonies which have not participated in former loans for this object, and which now desire to obtain them. º - - I have, &c. (signed) F. Hincks. Enclosure in No. 4. (No. 37.) - Sir, Government House, St. Vincent, 10 June 1858. I HAVE the honour to enclose to your Excellency, for transmission to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, an extract from the Minutes of the Proceedings of the Executive Council of this Colony, at a meeting held on the 29th ultimo. 2. The resolution adopted at this meeting expresses the opinion of the Executive Council that provision should be made to obtain immigrants from China, and requests the Lieu- tenant Governor to communicate with the Secretary of State, to ascertain whether Her Majesty’s Government would guarantee a loan, not exceeding 20,000 l., to be applied to this purpose, upon the Colony, making all necessary provision for regular payment of the interest, and a gradual repayment of the principal. 3. In a communication which I addressed to the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, under date of the 18th of May 1857, I brought under review the generally satis- factory state of the St. Vincent finances, even though a very short time had then elapsed since their recovery from a long-continued state of bankruptcy. I pointed out that this restoration of solvency and credit had taken place under so low a scale of taxation, that a considerable less revenue was being raised than the average of many years previously, and I expressed my opinion that St. Vincent might then with advantage make a further effort, and raise an additional sum of above 1,000 l. per annum for the purposes of immigration. This effort has been made; the ordinary revenue has also improved, and a fund is now %. rapidly accumulated for the specific purpose of introducing additional labour into the olony. * * - O. 13. S 4. At ST. VINCENT. ** No. 4. Governor Hincks to the Right Hon. Lord Stanley, M. P. 14 June 1858. No. 3 7:- 1838. ure. *- T- ~ ºn clos Encl. in No. 4. 132 PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. VINCENT 4. At the present moment, there is in hand a sum of 1,315 l, set apart for immigration, — and during the ensuing half-year a further amount of about 1,320 l. will become applicable to the same fund. In 1859 and 1860 similar amounts will become available, besides the further sum, in 1859, of about 1,800 l., the probable balance of the Income and Export Tax Acts, which are now restricted to a particular purpose, but will be released early next year for the objects of immigration. Altogether, by the close of 1860, a sum of fully 10,000 l. will have become available for the purposes of immigration, as is shown by a statement which I enclose from the Colonial 'Freasurer. 5. This statement also shows that, irrespective of the immigration arrangements, the St. Vincent treasury, at the close of the month just terminated, would, after paying all claims of every description, have a clear net balance of above 1,000 l., besides the 1,315 l. of immigration fund, whilst the ordinary current revenue is fully equal to the ordinary current expenditure. 6. The Colony is therefore not only solvent, with a considerable clear balance in hand, and not only fully meeting its current expenditure out of its current income, but it has also made adequate provision for raising the sum of about 10,000 ſ. for immigration purposes, between the 1st January 1858 and the 31st December 1860. All too is being accomplished by existing taxation, and this taxation is of the most moderate and inoppressive character. 7. I have gone thus at length into a statement of our financial position, because I wish the Secretary of State, in considering the question of guaranteeing a loan, which is raised by the resºlution of the Executive Council, enclosed, to have before him the fullest infor- mation, and to be able to feel quite satisfied that St. Vincent is now in a position easily and fully to meet any engagements which she may make in obtaining such a loan. 8. In my communication to Mr. Ball, of the 18th May 1857, already referred to, I par- ticularly called attention to the fact that, however flour shing the resources of the Colony might be, a small sum, coming in only at yearly intervals, would manifestly be insufficient to admit of any arrangements being made for the immediate introduction of immigrants; and I ventured to suggest that if a deviation could be made from the rule generally laid down, and a loan be guaranteed by Her Majesty's Government, a great boon would be accorded to the colony, which would be relieved from the almost overwhelming cost (through high rate of interest and other concurrent expenses) of obtaining the funds required through a bank, or any other private source, whilst Great Britain itself would be benefited by an increased supply from one of its own possessions of productions of general consumption, and of which it is highly important that the mother country should foster and extend the cultivation as much as possible. 9. The resolution of the Executive Council only comprehends a preliminary inquiry. Legislative action would be necessary before any actual steps could be taken; but as the Executive Council consists of the most influential members of both branches of the Legis- lature, there is no doubt whatever but that any necessary legislation would be most willingly and promptly carried out. 10. I believe the Colony to be now in a position easily to pay a fair interest upon any sum not exceeding 20,000 l., to pay off annually (in half-yearly instalments) a portion of the principal of not less than 2,000 l., and still to provide fully for all its ordinary current expenditure, without any additional taxation whatever beyond what is now being collected under existing Acts. iº 11. Should Her Majesty's Government feel disposed to grant the loan now sought, I am quite certain the Legislature would at once make all the existing Tax Acts permanent for 10 years; would make the interest of the loan, and the annual repayment of 2,000l. of principal, as first charges upon the revenue, and would generally carry out such other con- ditions as Her Majesty's Government might require. 12. The object being to secure the importation of Chinese labourers with their families, the money lent would remain with the Crown authorities until paid over to the parties entitled to receive it from time to time, for procuring or conveying immigrants to St. Vincent, and Crown agents would be employed exclusively in these services. The whole of the money, therefore, would not be required at once, and all would be repaid, with interest, in 10 years. - 13. I may state that during my temporary absence from the Colony last year, upon leave of absence, some efforts were made to obtain immigrants to St. Vincent from Madeira, the Canary Islands, and the Cape de Verdes, and an Agent was sent from this Colony to those Islands to ascertain the practicability of doing so. . These efforts have been quite without success. The Colony has not, up to the present time, obtained a single immigrant, nor does there appear the least prospect of obtaining any; at the same time the deficiency of labour is very great, and the amount in the Colony not always to be calculated upon. º f 14. I would WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 1.33 14. I would therefore strongly support the resolution of the Executive Council, and ST. VINCENT. solicit that, if possible, Her Majesty's Government should deviate from the ordinary rule laid down, and grant a loan to St. Vincent, upon such legislation being adopted as may be thought necessary to secure the proper appropriation of the money, and the eertain and regular payment of interest, and gradual repayment of principal. ' *=º I have, &c. - His Excellency the Governor in Chief, (signed) E. Eyre. Barbados. - * Sub-Enclosure. MINUTEs of a Meeting of the Executive Council, held at the Government Office, Kingstown, Saturday, the 29th day of May 1858. Present:-His Excellency Edward John Eyre, Lieutenant Governor; the Hon. Charles Douglas Stewart, the Hon. John James Hughes, the Hon. John Audain, the Hon. George M. Browne, the Hon. James Graham, the Hon. James M. Grant, the Hon. William Ross. * % % # % 3% 2: 3% * 3% 3: THE following Resolution was unanimously adopted on the subject of immigration from C.;ina : — - . r “The Council are of opinion that provision should be made to obtain immigrants from China, and they recommend that the necessary steps should be taken, without delay, for that purpose, and that his Excellency should communicate with the Secretary of State to ascertain whether Her Majesty's Government would guarantee a loan, not exceeding 20,000 l., for that purpose, and on what terms; conditional that the Legislature would make the necessary provision for the repayment of principal and interest.” (A true copy.) (signed) Bouverie Alleyne, Clerk of Council. — No. 5. — - (No. 34.) No. 5. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable Governor Hincks the Lord Stanl RX * . to the Right Hon. he Lord Stanley, M. P. Lord Stanley, M.P. Windward Islands, Barbados, 14 June 1858. 14 June 1858. -- - (lèeceived, 19 July 1858.) My Lord, (Answered, No. 11, 12 August 1858, p. 147.) I HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship the copy of a Despatch from the Lieutenant Governor of St. Vincent, enclosing authenticated copies of two *o. 40 e rº & & gº ge * * & * . O J & Proclamations fixing the rates of bounty to be paid on the introduction of immi- j 3858. grants into that Colony; the ‘second, which has been only recently issued by °sure. Mr. Eyre, being to amend and explain that formerly issued by Mr. Walker. These Proclamations were called for by your Lordship's Despatch of the 30th April last. * - I have, &c. (signed) F. Hincks. Enclosure 1, in No. 5. Encl. 1, in No. 5. (No. 40.) Sir, Government House, St. Vincent, 10 June 1858. I HAVE the honour to transmit authenticated copies of a Proclamation which I have issued, unler the advice of my Executive Council, fixing the scale of bounty to be paid Tºº------- for immigrants arriving in St. Vincent from certain places named in the Proclamation. 2: Yºur Excellency will notice that the present Proclamation is chiefly for the purpose of explaining and defining a Proclamation issueſ by Mr. Walker, on the 3d November 1957, and under which the full bounty payable for adult immigrants might also be claimed for infants and very young children, which was never intended. The present Proclamation divides immigrants into three classes, according to age, and fixes a scale of bounty for each class. ... • 3. It also limits the bounty to such immigrants as belong to families the members of whom, being between the ages of 15 and 40, shall, either before or on arrival in the Colony, enter into agreement to perform agricultural labour. - ef In Mr. Walker's Proclamation there was no limitation of this kind, as the third clause of the Immigration Act (to which reference is made) appears to be very loosely and faultily drawn; and under it many immigrants might have been paid for by the Colony, who, if they chose, could at once leave it for another place. - O. 13. S 2 - 4. With 136 PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. VINCENT. - Encl. 2, in No. 5. 4. With regard to the age mentioned for entering into contracts to perform agricultural service (between 15 and 40), the Proclamation follows the Act. It may be as well, how- ever, to mention that the Act at the same time expressly provides that children under 15 shall not be separated from their parents; and the Governor would also have the power of insisting upon this rule being observed even with regard to parties above 15, when necessary, as in the case of girls. t 5... I enclose copies of Mr. Walker’s Proclamation of the 3d November, as it is referred to in mine of the 2d June. - - - º I have, &c. His Excellency the Governor in Chief, (signed) E. Eyre, Barbados. Enclosure 2, in No. 5. By James Walker, Esq., the Cfficer administering the Government of the Island of St. Vincent and its Dependencies, Chancellor and Ordinary of (L. S.) the same, &c. &c. &c. James Walker. PRocLAMATION. f WHERE As by an Act passed by the Legislature of this Island, the 16th day of October 1857, intituled, “An Act to alter the Law of Contracts with regard to Immigrants, and for the Encouragement of Emigration, and for the general Regulation of Immigrants,” it is enacted that the Governor and Council may from time to time, by Proclamation, name the ports or places from which emigration on bounty is permitted to this Colony, and may fix such rate of bounty as to him shall seem just for indemnifying the person at whose charge any immigrant may be introduced into this Colony, for the expense of his maintenance and passage from the port of embarkation to this Colony; and shall, in his Proclamation to be issued for that purpose, declare the number of weeks deemed necessary for the voyage of any ship or vessel from such respective ports or places to this Colony: Provided always, that no rate of bounty shall be fixed, and that no bounty shall be allowed for the importation of any immigrant who may be incompetent or unwilling to engage in agricultural labour, or for any immigrant above the age of 40 years, unless in either case such immigrant shall be one of a family of immigrants arriving in the same vessel; and provided further, that no bounty or passage-money shall be paid for any greater number of immigrants imported by any one vessel from the Island of Madeira, from any of the Islands of the Azores, Cape de Verde Islands, Canary Islands, and other places of similar distance, than at the rate of one immigrant for each ton of the measurement of such vessel. Now, therefore, I, the said James Walker, Officer administering the Government of the said Island and its Dependencies, acting by and with the advice of Her Majesty's Council for the said Island, do by this my Proclamation, pursuant to the said Act, declare and proclaim that immigration on bounty is permitted to this Colony, subject to the conditions mentioned in the said Act, from the undermentioned ports or places, and that such rates of bounty as are undermentioned shall be paid for indemnifying the person at whose charge any immigrant may be introduced into this Colony, for the expense of maintenance and passage from the port of embarkation to this Colony; and that the number of weeks hereunder mentioned shall be deemed necessary for the voyage of any ship or vessel from the respective ports or places of embarkation to this Colony. Ports or Places º * OOl Bounty Rates of Bounty. Length of Passage. - £. s. d. Madeira - * - sº - || 1 () — -- Four weeks. Cape de Verdes – * * - | 10 — — | – ditto. Azores - º-s, * - gº - 10 — — - ditto. Canaries - º - tº - | 10 – – | – ditto. England, Scotland, and Ireland - 10 — — . Six weeks. United States º *- {-ºs - 6 5 – | Four , British America - º- &= º 8 — — . Five , Virgin Islands * - flºº - 3 10 – | Two , Given under my hand and seal at arms, at Government House, in Kingstown, this 3d day of November, in the year of our Lord 1857, and in the 21st year of Her Majesty's reign. - (By command.) (signed) Bouverie Alleyne, Marshal's Office, St. Vincent, Colonial Secretary. 3 November 1857. TJuly proclaimed in Kingstown this day. (signed) A. H. Hobson, Provost M arshal. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 135 Enclosure 3, in No. 5. (L. S.) PROCLAMATION, JE, Eur By his Excellency Edward John Eyre, Esq., Lieutenant Governor & • Lºyré, f the Island of St. Vincent and its Dependencies, &c. &c. &c. Lieutenant Governor. O p --, WHERE As by an Act of the Legislature of St. Vincent, intituled, “An Act to alter the Law of Contracts with regard to Immigrants, and for the Encomragement of Immigration, and for the general Regulation of Immigrants,” the Governor in Council is empowered from time to time, by Proclamation, to fix the rate of bounty payable on the introduction of immigrants into this Colony under the said Act; and it is thereby provided that no bounty shall be allowed in respect of any immigrant who may be incompetent or unwilling to engage in agricultural labour, or for any immigrant above the age of 40 years, unless, in either case, such immigrant shall be one of a family of immigrants arriving in the same vessel: And whereas by a Proclamation, bearing date the 3d day of November now last past, issued by the Officer administering this Government, by and with the advice of the Council of the said Government, the sum of 10 !. was fixed as the rate of bounty payable in respect of immigrants introduced into this Colony from Madeira, the Cape de Verd Islands, the Azores, and the Canary Islands, and also from England, Scotland, and Ireland; the sum of 6 l. 5 s. for immigrants arriving from the United States of America; the sum of 8 l. for immigrants from British America; and the sum of 3 ſ. 10 s. for those from the Virgin Islands: And whereas it was deemed expedient to discontinue the bounty so made payable in respect of immigrants from the Virgin Islands, and a notice to that effect was inserted in the “Gazette,” dated the 7th day of November last past: And whereas it is not intended to give the full bounty for infants and others not being 15 years of age or upwards: And whereas doubts may arise, under the provisions of the said recited Act, and the terms of the said Proclamation, in respect of such bounty, where claimed in respect of persons being immigrants who by reason of being either incompetent or unwilling to engage in agricul- tural labour, may yet form part of a family arriving in the same vessel. Now, to obviate such doubts, and to fix the rate of bounty payable in respect of immigrants arriving in this Island, I, the said Edward John Eyre, Esq., Lieutenant Governor of the said Island, by and with the advice and consent of the Council of the same, do, by this my Proclamation issued in pursuance and under the authority of the said recited Act, declare and proclaim as ‘follows: that is to say, the sum of 10 l. bounty, made payable in and by the said recited proclamation of the 3d day of November last past, in respect of immigrants from Madeira, the Cape de Verd Islands, the Azores, the Canary Islands, and from England, Scotland, and Ireland, is, and shall be payable only in respect of such immigrants, arriving from any of the places last aforesaid, not being above the age of 40 years, nor under the age of 15 years, as shall at the time of arrival in this Colony be under a valid contract, pursuant to the said Act, to perform agricultural service in this Government, or shall, on arrival, enter into such contract. That the sum of 6 l. shall be payable in respect of every immigrant arriving from any of the places last aforesaid, under the age of 15, and over the age of six years, being one of a family arriving in the same vessel, the members of which, or some of whom, shall be under a valid contract to perform agricultural labour; and that the sum of .3 l. shall be payable in respect of every immigrant arriving from any of the places last aforesaid, of and under the age of six years, being one of a family of immigrants arriving in the same vessel, the members of which, or some of whom, shall be under contract to perform agricultural labour; and that the sum of 10 l. shall be payable for every immigrant arriving from any of the places last aforesaid, over the age of 40 years, arriving in this Colony, being the father or mother of a family arriving in the same vessel, the members of which, or some of whom, shall be under contract to perform agricultural labour. That the amount of bounty allowed in the said hereinbefore recited proclamation for immigrants arriving from the United States of America and from British America, shall be payable and calculated in the same manner, and in the same proportion with regard to age and other- wise, as hereinbefore provided in respect of the bounty allowed for immigrants from Madeira; and that no bounty shall henceforth be allowed for any immigrant from the Virgin Islands. Given under my hand, and the Great Seal of the said Island, at the Government House, St. Vincent, the 2d day of June, in the year of our Lord 1858. (By his Excellency's command.) (signed) Bouverie Alleyne, Colonial Secretary. . . Marshal’s Office, St. Vincent, 2 June 1858. Duly proclaimed in Kingstown this day. (signed) A. H. Hobson, Provost Marshal. ‘O. 13. - S 3 ST. VINCENT. Encl. 3, in No. 5. 136 PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. VINCENT. eºsºms No. 6. *Governor Hincks to the Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M.P. 27 Jaly 1858. Encl. in No. 6. 3. 2A Sº *$5 ºr * closut” — No. 6. — (No. 38.) - - - - * Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M.P. Windward Islands, Barbados, 27 July 1858. . - (Received, 16 August 1858.) * i Sir, (Answered, No. 13, 4 September 1858, page 147.) I HAVE the honour to transmit to you the copy of a Despatch from the Lieu- tenant Governor of St. Vincent, with several enclosures, on the subject of Chinese emigration to that Colony. The cost per head is, if I am not mistaken, much. underrated, and I am not aware that the Emigration Commissioners have made any arrangements for procuring Chinese labourers for the Colonies. I have, however, thought it better not to delay transmitting the Despatch, so that the Commissioners may have the earliest possible notice of the wishes of the St. Vin- cent Legislature. - . I have, &c. (signed) F. Hincks. Enclosure in No. 6. (No. 47.) $ - Sir, Government House, St. Vincent, 24 July 1858. REFERRING to my Despatch, No. 37, of the 10th ultimo, transmitting a resolution of the Executive Council of this Government, expressing its desire that provision should be made for obtaining immigrants from China, and requesting I would communicate with Her Majesty's Government, with a view to ascertain whether the Imperial guarantee could be obtained for a loan of 20,000 l. for that purpose, I have now the honour to forward a letter from the Speaker of the House of Assembly, together with copies of the documents to which that letter refers. - * 2. The purport of the Speaker's communication is to inform me that the two branches of the Legislature, having had a conference on the subject of immigration, have arrived at the following conclusions: 1st. That immigration from China would be the most valuable. +. 2d. That the Colony is in a position, without at present soliciting a loan from any quar- ter, at once to commence the system of immigration from China. 3d. That the Lieutenant Governor be requested to communicate with the Home Government on the subject, and to solicit that 500 Chinese emigrants be sent to St. Vincent, with as little delay as possible. - 3. In adopting these views, I believe the Legislature has estimated the probable cost of introducing 500 Chinese at not exceeding a rate of 20 l. per head for adults, or 10,000 l. in the whole; and that the greater part of this amount will not require to be paid until the actual arrival of the immigrants, from eight to 12 months hence, during which time the immigration fund will go on rapidly accumulating. 4. In my Despatch, No. 37, 10th June, paragraph 4, I showed from a return by the Colonial Treasurer, that at the end of May of this year—- - - f. The immigration fund in hand was - Q º º º - 1,315 • The immigration fund to be collected during the residue of the year, and a large portion of which has already been received gº - 1,320 The surplus balance of general revenues * = ſº & *me - 1,000 £. 3,635 showing that at any moment the Colony is able at once to remit to the Emigration Com- missioners a sum exceeding 3,000 l., to meet preliminary expenses, advances to immi- grants, &c., upon learning that Her Majesty's Government sanction the undertaking, and are ready to instruct the Emigration Commissioners to take the necessary steps to procure for St. Vincent the 500 Chinese required. 5. In 1839, amounts corresponding to the two first items will again accrue to the immi- gration fund, besides about 1,800 l. more for the Income and Export Tax Acts, which at the close of 1858 will become solely applicable to immigration; there will thus be available 1In 1859— f Sums corresponding to 1,315 l. and 1,320 l. - - - - - 2,635 Proceeds of Income and Export Tax Acts - - - - - - 1,800 £. 4,435 making, with the fund aiready applicable (3,635 l.) an amount of 8,070 l. The WEST IN DEA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 1.37 The difference between this and 10,000 l. could at any moment be raised in the Colony, under an existing “Act to authorize the raising of Loans of Money for Immigration Purposes.” 6. It is thus apparent that the Colony is quite in a position at once to advance above 3,000l. towards meeting the expenses of obtaining 500 Chinese labourers, and to pay the balance of 7,000 l. (if costing so much) on their arrival. . . But this calculation presumes that all the immigrants are adults, and costing 20 l. per head ; whereas it is both probable and highly important that there should be a fair propor- tion of women and children amongst the immigrants, which would, of course, reduce the average cost per head very greatly below what has been assumed. Moreover, the Immigration Act (16 October 1857) provides in the 22d clause, that one- half the cost of introducing the immigrants shall be paid by the parties to whom they are indented, which would leave only 5,000 l. out of the 10,000 l. (assuming this to be the total sum) to be actually provided by the Colony. I believe the planters are both fully able and fully prepared to pay their shares, though I have thought it right to satisfy the Home Government, before it takes any steps in the matter, that the Colony itself is able to meet the whole demand which the introduction of 500 Chinese will involve. s. The reason why the Legislature is pressing for the supply of even the small number of 500 immigrants without waiting to learn the result of the application for a loan, which if granted would admit of immigration on a much larger scale, appears to be that it considers the want of labour to be very pressing, and is unwilling to lose the time which would necessarily be occupied in adjusting a loan, when it can commence the system upon a small scale at once from existing resources, and may at any time extend it if larger funds become available. 9. I have earnestly to support the application of the Legislature, and to express my own strong conviction that additional labour is greatly required in St. Vincent, and that the Chinese will constitute the best and most useful description of immigrants attainable. 10. I enclose another copy of the Immigration Act, and beg to report that the amend- ments to it which are required by the Secretary of State, as pointed out in your Despatch, No. 229 of 28 June last, shall be made and transmitted with as little delay as possible. I have, &c. His Excelleney the Governor in Chief, . (signed) E. Eyre. Barbados. - P.S.—A communication of similar import to that of the Speaker's, having been received from the President of the Legislative Council, is also enclosed. P. E. E. Eyre, Lieutenant Governor. No. 20 (Joint Message). Government House, St. Vincent, 8 July 1858. AT the request of the Agricultural Society, the Lieutenant Governor has the honour to lay before the Legislature a letter which has been addressed to him on behalf of the Society by its chairman, expressing the opinion of that body that it is desirable to solicit a loan of 20,000 /. from the Home Government for the purposes of immigration, and that this immigra- tion should consist of Chinese iabourers in preference to any other, as being more likely to prove permanently beneficial to the Colony. 2. In transmitting this communication to the Legislature, the Lieutenant Governor has much pleasure in adding, that in a Despatch, dated 10 June ultimo, he brought both these subjects under the notice of the Secretary of State; but that until he receives a reply, official usage precludes him from laying that Despatch before the Legislature. (By command.) (sigued) Bouverie Alleyne, Colonial Secretary. His Honour the President and Members of the Honourable Board of Legislative Council. His Honour the Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly. To his Excellency the Lieutenant Governor E. J. Eyre, Esq. Sir, St. Vincent, 6 July 1858. I HAVE been directed by the Agricultural Society respectfully to request that your Excel- lency will bring under the notice of the Legislature the great advantage that would result to the Colony by the introduction of Chinese immigrants as agricultural labourers, and to urge on that body the propriety of taking immediate steps to obtain the sanction of the Home Government to bring them to this Colony, and for raising funds for this purpose; and that I should further state, that as other Colonies have obtained the sanction of the Crown, the Society entertains no doubt but that the benefits of this immigration would readily be extended O. l 3. S 4 • to ST. VINCENT. º, 138 PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. VINCENT. to St. Vincent, and that, in its opinion, a loan ought to be solicited from the Home Govern- sur-oise ment, say for 20,000 l. sterling, to carry out this object, and that the society is satisfied that both principal and interest could be repaid by the Colony in a moderate time without at all pressing heavily on its resources; that from information the Society has received, it appears that the total cost would be at the rate of 20 l. sterling per adult immigrant, one part of which would be borne by the Colony, and the other by the planter. That the Society considers the Chinese immigrants would prove far more valuable than the East Indian coolie, for it has been proved in Trinidad that he can perform more work, and that he is very indus- trious; moreover, the Colony is obliged to provide a back passage for the coolie after a certain residence; whereas not only this is not required in the case of the Chinese, but experience has shown that they do not return home, but settle down in the Colony into which they have been introduced. That the Society entertains great doubt as to the success of the endeavours of the Colony to obtain Métaires in any number, and even supposing that some are procured, and also some liberated Africans, it is still of opinion that the opportunity to: commence a system of Chinese immigration should not be neglected. - I have, &c., (signed) JRobert Aitken, President of the Agricultural Society. -- Council Chamber, St. Vincent, 22 July 1858. The President and Members of the Legislative Council to His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor. May it please your Excellency. TH E President and Members of the Legislative Council beg to acknowledge your Excel- lency's message on the subject of Chinese immigration, and to express their entire concur- rence in recommending the adoption of the measure, and pray your Excellency to make- application to the Home Government on the subject; and they respectfully beg to express their opinion that no immediate loan would be required, as the immigration fund, now in the treasury, and likely to accrue before the arrival of immigrants, would be sufficient to meet the outlay on the first importation, if such importation did not exceed 400 souls. (signed) H. E. Sharpe, President. Sir, Committee-room, St. Vincent, 22 July 1858. 1 AM instructed by the Honourable House of Assembly to acknowledge your Excellency’s joint message, No. 20, enclosing copy of a letter addressed to your Excellency by the Pre- sident of the Agricultural Society, on the subject of the importation of emigrants from China into this Colony. A conference having been held with the Honourable Board of Council, the conferees are of opinion, that immigration from China would be most valuable, and that the Colony is in a position, without at present soliciting a loan from any quarter, at once to commence the system of immigration from China, and that his Excellency the Lieutenant Governor be requested to communicate with the Home Government on the subject, and to solicit that 500 Chinese emigrants be sent here with as little delay as possible. I have, &c. To His Excellency the Lieut. Governor. (signed) George M. Browne, Speaker. - — No. 7. — No. 7. (No. 58.) Governor Hincks Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hincks to the Right Honourable to the Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart, M. P. i. E. B. Lytton, - art., M. P. * - - ºn. 1858. Windward Islands, Barbados, 15 November 1858. o Sir, (Received, 16 December 1858.) 8, I HAVE the honour to transmit to you an authenticated copy of an Act of Sº...ºx, St. Vincent, intituled, “An Act to repeal certain Clauses of an Act, intituled, videº. 3% “An Act to alter the Law of Contracts with regard to Immigrants, and for $o. * * the Encouragement of Immigration, and for the General Regulation of Immi- - grants, and to make other Provision in lieu thereof, and further to amend the 7 - š \S. Are º 2. e t * * ‘Y Yocº said Act,’” together with the report of the Attorney General hereon, and a copy *** 9 • --...Yosuf 9 tº-T © © - yº. 3 of the correspondence on the subject between Lieutenant Governor Eyre and • vºcyoswº" ... " © ywº- myself. • I have, &c. (signed) I'. Hincks. ---> WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 139 ST. VINCENT. cºmmemºs Enclosure 1, in No. 7. Encl. 1, in No 7. (No. 70.) Sir, Government House, St. Vincent, 12 October 1858. I HAVE the honour to transmit, in order that your Excellency's pleasure may be signified in relation thereto, “An Act to repeal certain clauses of an Act, inlituled, An Act to alter the Law of Contracts with regard to Immigrants and for the Encouragement of Immigration, and for the general Regulation of Immigrants, and to make other provision in lieu thereof, and further to amend the said Act; ” together with the Attorney General's opinion thereon. in duplicate. º * tº a tº 2. The amendments which the present Act makes upon the Immigration Act, 1857, are for the purpose of remedying the defects pointed out in your Excellency's Despatch, No. 229, 28th June 1858. e - I have, &c. His Excellency the Governor in Chief, (signed) E. Eyre. Barbados. Enclosure 2, in No. 7. Encl. 2, in No. 7. (No. 249.) Sir, Windward Islands, Barbados, 21 October 1858. I HAVE received this day your Despatch of the 12th instant, transmitting the copy of a Bill passed by the Council and Assembly of St. Vincent, and inlituled, “An Act to repeal certain Clauses of an Act, intituled, An Act to alter the Law of Contracts with regard to Immigrants and for the Encouragement of Immigration, and for the general Regulation of Immigrants, and to make further provision in lieu thereof, and further to amend the said Act; ” together with the Attorney General’s report thereon; and I have to convey to you the necessary authority to assent to the said Bill. I have, &c. His Excellency Lieut. Governor Eyre. (signed) F. Hincks. sº Enclosure 3, in No. 7. Encl. 3, in No. 7. (No. 80. Government House, St. Vincent, Sir, & e 1 November 1858. I HAVE the honour to transmit authenticated copies of “An Act to repeal certain Clauses of an Act, intituled, An Act to alter the Law of Contracts with regard to Immigrants, and for the Encouragement of Immigration, and for the general Regulation of Immigrants, and to make other provision in lieu thereof, and further to amend the said Act.” ſº 3. I have, &c. His Excellency & (signed) E. Eyre. the Governor in Chief, Barbados. 140 PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. VINCENT. y . * Despatches from the Secretary of State. , s Y- - —- No. 1. — No. 1. (No. 128.) * - Right Hon. H. COPY of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere to Labouchere, M.P. Governor Hincks. toGovernor Hincks. 25 February 1858. Sir, - Downing-street, 25 February 1858. HAviNG observed that a large number of liberated Africans. have been taken into Sierra Leone and located among the resident population, I instructed the Emigration Commissioners to take steps for facilitating the conveyance to the West Indies of such Africans as may hereafter reach that port under similar 1999' circumstances. I enclose the copy of an agreement which they have accord- Vide page ingly concluded with Messrs. Hyde, Hodge & Co. I have instructed the - Kº-T Governor of Sierra Leone to use his best endeavours to fill the ships furnished under this agreement with such captured Africans as may consent to emigrate. It is of course impossible to predict the continuance of these captures, or the degree to which the Africans may avail themselves of the opportunity offered them, but I think it desirable to inform you of the steps which I have taken to secure, as far as possible, to the West Indies, the benefits derivable from the operation of Her Majesty's cruisers. - If the Colony of St. Vincent desires to share in the chance of these benefits, I should wish you to forward to me such a statement of the wages and other advantages enjoyed by labourers in that Colony as I may communicate to the Governor of Sierra Leone. If the Colonists also desire to take advantage of the 16th article of the agree- ment, it will be necessary to make proper provision for paying the proposed freight of 5/. per adult on all emigrants from Sierra Leone, other than captured Africans, and a fee of a dollar per adult to the Emigration Agent who will embark them. - - - I have instructed the Governor of Sierra Leone to explain to the emigrants of both classes (as far as possible) that they must be prepared, on their arrival, to enter into contracts of service to last for three years, or (in the case of children) till the age of 18. Of course, however, it will not be competent to the Govern- ment to impose or sanction such contracts, except in pursuance of some law which is in force in the Colony on the arrival of the immigrants. I draw your attention to this point in order that the Legislature may make such provision, in accordance with the above instructions, as they may consider to be under the existing circumstances required. w I have, &c. (signed) H. Labouchere. Parl. Paper, P.S.—You will find in the accompanying Parliamentary Paper, the former * 993 ºf 1859 instruction to the Emigration Agent at Sierra Leone, and various documents throwing light on this service. * sº No. 2. — No. 2 (No. 1.) * Right Hon. the Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Lord Stanley, M. P. iorăştanley, M. P. is to Governor Hincks. to Governor g Hincks. Sir, Downing-street, 27 February 1858. 27 February 185% I Have received your Despatch, St. Vincent, No. 3,” of the 4th January, with * Page 127. one from the Lieutenant Governor, forwarding resolutions of the Legislature of that WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 14.1 : that Island on the subject of Portuguese immigration, from which it appears º viNCENT. that an Agent has been appointed to proceed to Madeira and the Cape de Verd Islands, for the purpose of procuring emigrants from thence. I see no reason for objecting to this arrangement. - - - I have, &c. (signed) Stanley. — No. 3. —- (No. 13, . - . Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Lord Stanley, M. P. y - to Governor Hincks. Sir; - Downing-street, 18 May 1858. THE Emigration Commissioners have informed me that Mr. Brown, em- ployed as the Emigration Agent for St. Vincent, has called their attention in the accompanying letter to the fact that by the Immigration Act which h as recently been passed by the Legislature of that Colony, certain inconveniences are entailed on him by the manner in which validity is given to contracts made with emigrants from Madeira. 2. It appears that the Act enacts that the contracts should bear a certificate from the British Consul or notary public, or other person approved of or acting under authority of Her Majesty's Government, that the contracts are legal and understood. - 3. As it is difficult at times to procure the attendance of the British Consul for the purpose of notifying these facts, and expensive to retain that of a notary, the Emigration Commissioners have suggested that authority should be granted to Mr. Brown himself “to act under authority of” Her Majesty's Government, for the purpose of giving this certificate; and in accordance with this suggestion, I have conveyed the necessary instruction to the Commissioners. I have, &c. (signed) Stanley. Enclosure in No. 3. Sir, -> Emigration Office, 4 May 1858. WE enclose the copy of a letter from Mr. Brown, employed as Emigration Agent for St. Vincent, to collect emigrants from Madeira and the neighbouring Portuguese islands, in which that gentleman draws attention to certain inconveniences entailed on him by the pre- sent immigration law of St. Vincent. In order to give validity to contracts, it is made necessary by the law of St. Vincent, that they should bear a certificate from the British Consul, a notary public, or other person approved of or acting under authority of Her Majesty’s Government, that the contracts are voluntary and are understood. 3. It seems that it is difficult at times to procure the attendance of the British Consul for the purpose of certifying to these facts, and expensive to retain that of a notary. Mr. Brown therefore proposes that commanders and surgeons of vessels should be “approved ” by Her Majesty's Government for this purpose. 4. This proposal seems to us not admissible, as its adoption would seem to imply that the certificates of the commanders and surgeons of private emigrant ships are sufficient evidence of the propriety of the Collectors’ proceedings which they plainly are not. But it appears to us that, when the emigrants are collected by an Agent responsible to Government, the certificate itself is not really required, especially in a place where emigration and its incidents are now so well understood as in these Portuguese islands. No such certificate is required in the Indian emigration. 5. We would therefore suggest that the difficulty might be simply removed by authoris- ing Mr. Brown himself to “act under the authority of Her Majesty's Government for the purpose of giving this certificate. He called at this office on his way to Madeira, and seemed an intelligent person; and we would suggest that he should be furnished with this authority. 6. The law of St. Kitts, we observe, does not require (as it should have done) the certifi- cate of any officer or notary for giving validity to contracts made in Madeira. But as the Act expired on the 2d of this month, an opportunity will offer itself for requiring the amendment of the law in this respect. - We have, &c. Herman Merivale, Esq. (signed) T. W. C. Murdoch. &c. &c. &c. . Frederic Rogers. O. l 3. * T 2 gºmºsºme No. 3. Right Hon. the Lord Stanley, M.P. to Governor Hincks. 18 May 1858. I *śgs ºncºs. tº Encl. in No. 3. a 142 PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. VINCENT. º Sub-Enclosure. Gentlemen, - Madeira, 13 March 1858. IN the interview allowed me on Saturday the 13th ultimo, the assistance I required was so readily accorded, I am induced to offer the following remarks, impressed with the belief I can rely on such further co-operation as can be legitimately extended to me. 2. Under the provisions of the Emigration Act of St. Vincent, by which I am guided in my mission, it is enacted, that all contracts shall bear a certificate from the British Consul, a notary public, or other person approved of or acting under the authority of Her Majesty's Government, that the said contracts have been voluntarily entered into and are understood by the subscribing parties. c - 3. One hundred and sixty emigrants left ten days ago for St. Kitts. The contracts entered into with these people were attested by the captain and surgeon of the vessel, which was regarded as amply sufficient and found to be satisfactory to all concerned. To carry out the provisions of the St. Vincent Act, it is my duty to state that Mr. Heywood, the Vice Consul, has offered me every assistance in his power, but should an equal number of emigrants be willing to go to St. Vincent, it is unreasonable to expect rhe Consul, whose duties preclude him from devoting his time to any one object, could be able to give un- remitting attendance for two or three days. It is impossible to collect the people at one time, to read over and attest the contracts; and if delay occurs in securing his presence when the people are got to the Agent's office, they are very likely to take advantage of it and get out of the way, taking with them the advances they have received, by no means aIl Ulſ, COIYll O.C.) In OCCUll"TellC6. To engage in this country the continuous attendance of a notary public for such a period, would be to add a very serious item to charges already sufficiently high. 4. It is under these circumstances I would respectfully suggest that, although the case could be met by a reference to St. Vincent, it can be remedied with much less loss of time by recourse to the alternative the Act permits, viz. Some other person approved of or acting under the authority of Her Majesty's Government. Some of the Colonies have appointed Emigration Agents in this Island, and if one could be appointed by Her Majesty's Government, the difficulties to which I have referred would be overcome, and the general scheme of emigration facilitated. 5. But in the event of such an appointment being at variance with existing treaties between the kingdom of Great Britain and Portugal, then an order approving of com- manders of vessels conveying emigrants (and surgeons when such an officer is on board), to attest the contracts, and their authority so to act to be declared to by the Consul in one attestation appended to the muster-roll would meet the point. I am, &c. To the Commissioners of Emigration, (signed) Jas. H. Brown, London. Acting for St. Vincent. - - — No. 4.— No. 4. (No. 14.) º . ;'s. the Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Lord Stanley, M. P., . M. P. to Governor Hincks. - Hincks. - tº 27 May 1858. Sir, Downing-street, 27 May 1858. * Page 116. I HAVE received your Despatch, No. 86% of the 9th November last, enclosing loa, four Acts passed by the Legislature of St. Vincent for the introduction of immi- sos.10°." 7 grants in that Colony. 795. Move” 2. Having referred this Despatch to the Emigration Commissioners, I transmit, € 11 * wº to e * - e § & §. 8, 9. º ºo: for your information and guidance, copy of their reply; I concur in the opinion pagº 399 - T which it submits, and I have to request that you will desire the Lieutenant A sº. Governor to take steps for procuring an amendment of the Act, No. 702, 31. A. intituled, “An Act to alter the Law of Contracts with regard to Immigrants, *T and for the Encouragement of Immigration, and for the general Regulation of _-T Immigration,” in accordance with the suggestions contained in that report. § I also enclose, for your information and guidance, copy of a correspondence A 1969 , ; * - P2 - .. I referred the Act, No. 702 1A. ºve 3. with the India Board, to whom I referred the Act, No. * > Wºº. I have, &c. o Nº. - 2 . tº (signed) Stanley. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 143 Enclosure 1, in No. 4. Sir, - - Emigration Office, 17 March 1858. WE have the honour to submit our report on the following Acts passed by the Legislature of St. Vincent in the mouth of October last, and referred to us in your letter of the 14th of December last :- No. 702. To alter the law of contracts with regard to immigrants, and for the encouragement of immigration, and for the general regulation of immigrants. No. 703. For laying an additional tax on produce to provide a fund for immigration purposes. f - No. 704. To appropriate a portion of the general revenue for immigration purposes. No. 705. To authorise the raising of loans of money for immigration purposes, and to secure and provide for the repayment of such loans. 2. In the last paragraph of the Despatch accompanying these Acts, Governor Hincks alluded to a series of communications from him as having an important bearing on their propriety; and as we found, on examination, that the Acts themselves were in operation, and might without inconvenience be allowed to remain so, we thought it best to delay our report till these further communications were refered to us. Another ground of delay was that it appeared possible that the principles now enforced on our own Colonies in respect of immigration might undergo some modification in consequence of negotiations which were on foot respecting emigration from India into foreign countries. 3. As, however, we have now received and reported on the general objections raised by Governor Hincks to coolie immigration, we have thought it best, without further delay, to dispose of the particular Acts of St. Vincent. 4. The Act No. 702* is taken from the Grenada Immigration Act of 8th September 1855 (already confirmed), with certain additions which were required by the Indian Government and embodied in the Grenada Act of September 24th 1856,ºf and with a few alterations which we shall notice so far as they are of importance. . 5. By this Act three kinds of immigration are recognised. First, the Governor is autho- rised by section 3 to proclaim bounties on labourers introduced into the Colony without being under contract to the importer; next, the Governor may license private persons to introduce immigrants under contract to themselves; and, thirdly, the Government may introduce immigrants at the public expense. 6. The first and third classes of immigrants will be indentured on their arrival to employers, chosen by themselves or by the Government, for three years certain, but subject to the obligation of serving two more years with the same employer, or of redeeming one or both of such years at the rate of 21. 10s. per annum. 7. On the allotment of any such immigrant, the first employer will be called upon to repay to Government half of the bounty or of the cost of introduction; but of this payment he will receive back one-fifth for every year's service which may be redeemed by the immi- grant on the above terms. 8. The second class of immigrants must have been introduced from some place in respect of which bounty has been proclaimed. By an apparent inadvertency no specific limit is placed on the duration of the contracts; such contracts, however, are only valid when “approved and countersigned by the Immigration Agent, and subject to such alterations as the said Agent may, with consent of the parties, have made therein.” They must also have been signed by the parties, and attested by a notary public, British Consul, or other person authorised by Government. The importer will receive from Government one-half of the bounty which would have been payable if the immigrant had not been under contract. 9. The 13th clause, if taken by itself, would authorise another kind of immigration, con- ducted exclusively at the expense of the importer, under contracts of unlimited duration, from “Madeira, the Azores, the Canaries, or Cape de Verd Islands; from any part of Europe or of the West Indies, or of the United States, or of the British provinces of North America, or from China;” but this clause (as in the law of British Guiana) is restricted by the definition of the word immigrant (section 68) to persons introduced under bounty. This, therefore, is so far delusive. 10. Coolie immigrants, as in other Colonies, are entitled to return to their country at their own expense, after five years’ industrial residence; and at the expiration of 10 years are entitled to receive back passages at the expense of Government, if they have spent the second term of five years under indentures for not less than one year at a time (on which their employer is to pay an annual tax equal to one tenth of their passage money), or if they have redeemed their labour at the rate of 2 l. 10s. per annum, or if they pay a contri- bution of 7 l. 5 s. 10d. 11. We regret to say that this Act is, in some respects, at variance with the regulations under which immigration is allowed. It will be perceived by the correspondence which accompanies it, that it originally legalised absolute contracts for five years. But as this O. 1 3. T 3 provision ST. VINCENT. Encl, 1. in No. 4. * No. 7 oz. Printed in Emigra- tion Commissioners’ Annual Report, 1856. Appendix, page 145. + Printed in Com- missioners’ Annual Report, 1857. Appendix, p. 163. {44 PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. VINCENT. *m provision was contrary to the policy of the Home Government, Mr. Hincks required that it should be altered. 12. The effect, however, of the alteration which has been made is (inadvertently, we pre- sume), to legalise contracts of unlimited length, the limit of five years being, we suppose, expunged, and no other limit inserted. It is true that the Immigration Agent has the power of disallowing contracts for more than three years’ duration, but it is undesirable that the enforcement of an important principle should depend on a mere discretionary Act of the Executive, which may take ill-informed importers of immigrants by surprise. 13. We would suggest, therefore, that the 13th clause should be altered by inserting after the words “valid in the Colony,” the words (which are found in the 14th clause of the Grenada Act above-mentioned,) for “the full period named in such contracts not exceeding three years.” - - 14. The Legislature will probably desire to give validity to contracts made in the localities enumerated in the 13th section by labourers not falling within the statutory defi- nition of immigrant, and to this there can, we imagine, be no objection, if China be omitted from the list. For the present, at least, it would seem inexpedient to resign the control of Government over this emigration. 15. Next the West Indian Acts sanctioned by the Government impose on coolie and other immigrants the obligation, after the termination of their three years' indentures, of entering into a further contract with “the same or some other employers” for two years, or of commuting that period at a fixed rate. The object of this provision was to secure that the immigrant should labour for five years, while leaving him at liberty to quit a dis- agreeable locality or unpopular employer after three. But in the St. Vincent Act, this purpose is frustrated by omitting the words “ or some other.” The consequence is that the coolie cannot change his employer at this period without paying 5 l. to Government. These words ought, therefore, to be reinserted, if the existing terms of immigration are to be maintained. 16. We should point out that the effect of this provision is distinguishable from those laws which enable employers who have paid towards the cost of importing immigrants to recover a rateable proportion of that cost from any person to whom such immigrants may transfer their services before the expiration of five years. 17. And it may also be here observed that the complication of the laws which regulate the duration of contracts in the West Indies arises from the circumstance that custom recognises a contract of service for five years, at the current wages, as an equivalent for the cost of introduction ; while the Imperial Government refuses to allow the immigrant to bind himself to a single employer for more than three years. The existing law is a con- trivance for reconciling these two principles which, though it seems to be working tolerably well, is undoubtedly productive of a good deal of perplexed discussion in its application to Government, and private emigration respectively. 18. In the 36th clause the words “or to give promissory notes in manner and form pro- vided by section 24 of this Act,” are taken from the Act of Grenada, where payment by promissory notes is allowed. But under the St. Vincent Act, all payments are to be made in cash, and these words should therefore be expunged. - 19. Mr. Hincks' objections to the rate of payment to be made by planters receiving immigrants will be most conveniently considered in connexion with the other laws forwarded by him. - - * 20. The Act, No. 703, imposes an export duty on produce (in addition to that already levied) which is to be applied to immigration purposes. No. 704 declares that a sum equal to the proceeds of this “additional export tax” shall be advanced from the general revenue for the same purpose; and No. 705 authorises certain Commissioners to borrow 7,000 l. for the same purposes, chargeable in the first instance on the immigration fund, and, on failure of that fund, on the general revenue, with a preference over all other claims except monies due under “the Loan Act of 1856.” tº- 21. It will be seen, therefore, that the expenses of immigration are to be provided for from three sources. Half is to be paid by the individuals to whom the immigrants are allotted, who are to pay one-tenth of the cost of introduction per annum for the first five years of the immigrant’s stay in the Colony; or if he receives a return passage, for 10 years. A quarter is to be paid from the export duty levied on the produce of the island, and a quarter from the general revenue. With regard to the first of these, Mr. Hincks objects that in other Colonies a greater share of the cost of immigration is recovered from the individual employer. To this it is answered in substance, that so long as a fair share of the expense is thrown on the planting interest, justice is satisfied ; and that the planters themselves may be left to determine what proportion should be thrown on the individual directly benefited by receiving an additioual labourer, and what proportion on the bulk of employers who are indirectly benefited by the effect of the immigration on the labour market. This answer appears to us reasonable. - 22. Next Mr. Hincks objects that the export tax is charged on a few cotton growers in the Grenadines, and on arrowroot grown by small cultivators. The amount of cotton grown annually in the Government of St. Vincent is 27,359 lbs., and the tax being at the rate of 3 d. per WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 145 3d. per cwt., would produce about 3 l per annum. The quantity of arrowroot grown by small, cultivators is 207,758 lbs., and the tax at 6d. per 200 lbs., would produce about.25.l. .The production of arrowroot on larger estates is 521,759 lbs., and we presume it would be impossible to exempt one from taxation without exempting the other. 28. Under these circumstances, it does not appear to us that the injustice done is suffi- ciently important to require, the intervention of the Secretary of State. 24. Mr. Hincks objected, in the first instance, to the charging one quarter of the expenses on the general revenue, the whole body of the tax-payers not being benefited by the emigration. - 25. To this it was replied first, that shopkeepers and others not contributing to the export duty were so benefited; and, secondly, that the planters had taken on themselves to defray by the existing export tax a burthen properly chargeable on the whole community. Mr. Hincks admitted the validity of the second argument, and withdrew his objection to this provision of the law. We presume, therefore, that the arrangement is unobjectionable. It is one which can hardly be treated of completely without entering on questions of general taxation, which are beyond the province of this Board. 26. On the whole, it appears to us that the first of the accompanying Acts cannot properly be sanctioned till the alterations which we have pointed out are made; and, as the Act indi- cates an intention to commence coolie immigration, it would perhaps be convenient to submit it at once to the India Board. . - 27. We are aware of no objection to any of the three other Acts, unless the preference given to loans contracted under No. 705, conflicts with any claim of the Imperial Govern- ment or the Colonial revenue. * We have, &c. - Herman Merivale, Esq. (signed) T. W. C. Murdoch. &c. &c. &c. - Frederic Rogers. Enclosure 2, in No. 4. Sir, Downing-street, 14 April 1858. I AM directed by Lord Stanley to transmit to you, for the consideration of the Commis- sioners for the Affairs of India, and in order that it may be communicated to the Court of East India Directors, copy of an Act passed by the Legislature of St. Vincent, intituled, “An Act to alter the Law of Contracts with regard to Immigrants and for the Encourage- ment of Immigration, and for the general Regulation of Immigrants.” I am also to enclose extract from a report furnished by the Emigration Commissioners upon this Act, and to state that Lord Stanley proposes to call for the amendments suggested by the Commissioners. - - . Lord Stanley requests that you will move the Court of East India Directors to inform him whether they have any objections to the course proposed to be adopted. I have, &c. (signed) JH. Merivale. Enclosure 3, in No. 4. Sir, - India Board, 10 May 1858. I AM directed by the Commissioners for the Affairs of India to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th ultimo, enclosing a copy of an Act passed by the Legislature of St. Vincent relating to emigration into that Colony. In compliance with the request of Lord Stanley, a copy of the Act and of the enclosed extract from the Emigration Commissioners was forwarded for the consideration of the Court of Directors of the East India Company, and I have now the honour to transmit to you a copy of a letter from Mr. Dickinson, containing the Court's opinion as to the Act, and the course proposed to be adopted. & I am, &c. Herman Merivale, Esq. (signed) George Clerk. &c. &c. &c. - l • , sub-Enclosure. Sir, - East India House, 6 May 1858. I HAVE laid before the Court of Directors of the East India Company Sir George Clerk's letter, dated the 26th ultimo, cnclosing a copy of an Act passed by the Legislature of St. Vincent, relating to the introduction of emigrants into that Colony, and their regulation, when introduced, and with reference to the intention of the Secretary of State for the Colonies to call for certain amendments suggested by Her Majesty's Emigration Commis- Sioners, requesting that the Board of Commissioners may be furnished with the Court’s opinion of the course proposed to be adopted. - O. 13. T 4 In ST. VINCENT. Encl. 2, in No. 4. No. 702. Encl. 3, in No. 4. No. 702, 146 PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. VINCENT. No. 5. The Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bait., M.P. to Governor Hincks. 29 June 1858. * Page 128. 3 Juwº. sº- 23°- Encl. in No. 5. In reply, I am directed to remark that it has been usual to make a reference to the Government of India before pronouncing an opinion on Acts of the Colonial Legislatures elating to the emigration of natives of India. But the Act of the Legislature of St. Vincent being based on that under which emigration is at present carried on to Grenada, and the amendments proposed by the Emigration Commissioners tending to remove the slight differences which exist between the two Acts, the Court will not make any objection to the course proposed to be taken by Lord Stanley. They propose, however, to forward a copy of the correspondence, and of the Act, to the Government of India, and they would wish it to be understood that that Government will be at liberty to suggest any further alterations which they may think desirable; and that it rests with the Gºvernment of India to decide Whether and when effect is to be given to the Act, so far as relates to the territories under the administration of the East India Company. - tº . I have. &c. The Secretary India Board. Gigº" ; D. Dickinson. — No. 5. — Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M.P. to Governor Hincks. (No. 2.) Sir, - Downing-street, 29 June 1858. I HAVE received your Despatch, No. 22,” in which you enclose copy of one from Lieutenant Governor Eyre, reporting the views entertained in the Colony of St. Vincent on the subject of the emigration of captured Africans to the West Indies, and I transmit to you the copy of a letter from the Emigration Commissioners in relation to that subject. I have communicated a copy of Lieutenant Governor Eyre's Despatch to the Governor of Sierra Leone, pointing out the rate of wages which prevails in the Colony of St. Vincent. - (signed) E. B. Zytton. Enclosure in No. 5. Sir, Emigration Office, 23 June 1858. I HAve to acknowledge your letter of 12th instant, enclosing Despatches from Governor Hincks and Lieutenant Governor Eyre, on the subject of immigration from Sierra Leone to St. Vincent. 2. In our report of 17th February last we explained the arrangement which we had concluded with Messrs, Hyde, Hodge & Co. for the conveyance of Africans from Sierra Leone to the West Indies, and we pointed out the proportions in which, supposing the emigration to continue, the several Colonies should participate in it. We likewise proposed that the first ships should be sent to British Guiana, Trinidad, and St. Lucia, as being the Colonies which had shown the strongest desire for immigration. 3. As we have heard of no more captures of slavers there is little probability that the turn of St. Vincent to receive emigrants from Africa will come round at present. Never- theless it may be as well to communicate to the Governor of Sierra Leone the rate of wages prevailing in St. Vincent, viz., 8 d. a day, with a provision-ground and cottage, and from i0 d. to Is. without, and also to inform him that the Legislature of St. Vincent express their willingness to adopt the arrangement existing in British Guiana and Trinidad, for the payment of a bounty of 5 l per adult on any person who may be placed on board any of the contractors' ships by authority of the Governors of Sierra Leone or St. Helena. Beyond this no practical step remains to be taken at present. 4. In his Despatch Governor Hincks enters on the question as to the sufficiency of the wages prevailing in St. Vincent; and points out that although there is a great demand for Jabour in Grenada and St. Vincent, and although the former Colony has imported immi- grants at a great expense, there is a constant stream of emigration from those islands to Trinidad. The cause he assumes to be the insufficiency of the wages offered in those islands. It is extremely probable that Mr. Hincks is right. At the same time the question is one in which the Home Government could not interfere, but in which, if an error prevails, it must be left to the self interest of those on the spot to correct it. I have, &c. Herman Merivale, Esq. - (signed) T. W. C. Murdoch. &c. &c. &c. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 147 — No. 6. — (No. 6.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart, M.P. to Governor Hincks. Sir, - Downing-street, 31 July 1858. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 14th June, St. Vincent, No. 31,” with copy of a Despatch from Lieutenant Governor Eyre, forwarding a copy of a Resolution of the Executive Council of that island, praying for a guarantee to a loan not exceeding 20,000 l. for immigration purposes. - e I have to acquaint you in reply, that however desirous Her Majesty's Government may be of encouraging the immigration of labourers to St. ST. VINCENT. ºmmºns No. 6. The Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M.P. to Governor Hincks 31 July 1858. * Page 131. Vincent, they are unable to hold out a hope of rendering any assistance by means of a guaranteed loan. (signed) E. B. Lytton. — No. 7. — (No. 11.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M.P. to Governor Hincks. Sir, Downing-street, 12 August 1858. I HAvP, to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 14th June, St. Vincent, No. 34, f with a Despatch from Lieutenant Governor Eyre, for- warding a proclamation, dated the 2d June, for amending the previous pro- clamation of the 3d November last, fixing the rates of bounty to be paid on immigrants arriving in that island. I have to convey to you my approval of this proclamation. I have, &c. (signed) E. B. Lytton. — No. 8. — (No. 13.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart, M.P. to Governor Hincks. Sir, Downing-street, 4 September 1858. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 27th July, St. Vincent, No. 38, transmitting, with other documents, a request from the House of Assembly, that 500 Chinese immigrants may be sent to that island without delay. I request that you will instruct Lieutenant Governor Eyre to inform the Assembly in reply, that I am unable to meet their wishes, as no scheme has been sanctioned by Her Majesty's Government for the introduction of Chinese into the West Indies to be paid for from public funds. I must, moreover, observe, that the cost of introducing 500 Chinese would amount to a sum of not less than 12,500 /., and that the expense of one ship Only could be calculated at less than 6,000 l. ; whereas it would appear, from Lieutenant Governor Eyre's Despatch, which you have forwarded, that the funds applicable for this service at the end of this year could not exceed 3,635 l. I have, &c. (signed) E. B. Lyt/on. No. 7. The Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M.P., to Governor Hincks. 12 August 1858. + Page 133. No. 8. The Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M.P. to Governor Hincks. 4 September 1858. ; Page 136. 148 PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. KITTs. No. 1. Governor Hamilton to the Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M.P. 11 April 1857. Encl. 1, in No. 1. Encl. 2, in No. 1. A ST, KITTs, Despatches from the Governor. — No. 1. — (No. 40.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hamilton to the Right Honourable Henry Labouchere, M. P. Leeward Islands, Antigua, l l April 1857. - * (Received, 2 May 1857.) Sir, (Answered, No. 111, 22 July 1857, p. 153.) I HAve the honour to transmit herewith authenticated printed transcripts of an Act passed by the Legislature of St. Christopher, intituled, “An Act to remove Doubts as to the Rights of “liberated Africans,’ in the Islands of St. Christopher and Anguilla, and to amend the Laws relating to Aliens.” 2. The accompanying correspondence” will make known to you the circum- stances under which I was induced to authorise the Lieutenant Governor to assent to this Act. I have, &c. (signed). K. B. Hamilton. . Enclosure 1, in No. 1. (No. 72.) + Sir, St. Christopher, 18 December 1856. I HAVE the honour to transmit here with, for your Excellency's consideration, a transcript, together with the law officer's summary, of a Bill passed by the Council and Assembly of this Island, intituled, “An Act to remove Doubts as to the Rights of liberated Africansin the Islands of St. Christopher and Anguilla, and to amend the Laws relating to Aliens.” 2. This Bill proposes to go further than the suggestions of the Secretary of State in reference to “liberated Africans,” transmitted in your Despatch, No. 26 of the 28th of August last, inasmuch as it declares that any person born abroad of a mother being a natural- orn subject, as also any wounan marrie to a natural born subject, or person naturalised, shall have all the rights and privileges of natural-born subjects; and it further extends to all aliens being subjects of a friendly State, the proprietary rights of natural-born British subjects within this Island and Anguilla, restricting these latter, however, from the enjoyment of certain specified political privileges. 3. In conformity with the Royal instructions, this Bill contains a suspending clause. I am, &c. (signed) Hercules G. R. Robinson. His Excellency the Governor in Chief, e &c. &c. &c. Enclosure 2, in No. 1. (No. 44.) tº Antigua, Government House, Sir, 26 December 1857. 1 HAve received your Despatch, No. 72 of the 18th instant, enclosing transcript of a Bill passed by the Council and Assembly of St. Christopher, intituled, “An Act to remove Doubts as to the Rights of liberated Africans in the Islands of St. Christopher and Anguilla, and to amend the Laws relating to Aliens.” 2. It * Lieutenant Governor Robinson to Governor Hamilton, No. 72, 18 December 1856. Governor Hamilton to Lieutenant Governor Robinson, No. 44, 26 December. Lieutenant Governor Robinson to Governor Hamilton, No. 1, 1 January 1857. Governor Hamilton to Lieutenant Governor Robinson, No. 4, 9 January 1857. Lieutenant Governor lêobinson to Governor Hamilton, No. 1 1, 15 January 1857. Governor Hamilton to Lieutenant Governor Robinson, No. 6, 23 January 1857. * WEST INDIA. COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 149 2. It would, I think, be desirable that the two parts of the Bill relating to the rights of liberated Africans, and to the more extensive subject of aliens, should be separated into two Bills, in accordance with the Royal instructions, which in the passing of laws direct that * may be requisite upon each different matter, be provided for by a different à.W. 3. The first three clauses relating to liberated Africans have received the consideration of the Secretary of State in a similar enactment in another Colony, which has been assented . by Her Majesty in Council, and there can be no objection to them with the necessary Cla. UlSe. 3. 4. The remainder of the Bill purports by the marginal reference to be taken for the 7 & 8 Vict. c. 66; but the 5th clause goes beyond that statute, in proposing to enact that any alien being the subject of a friendly S'ate, shall and may take and hold by purchase, gift, bequest, representation, or otherwise, to him and his heirs, any real estate, while the Imperial Act allows only the taking, and holding by aliens of personal property, except chattels real, and the taking and holding of lands, houses, and tenements, for residence, occupation, business, trade, or manufacture, for a certain period. . . 5. It is with reference to this part of the Bill that I think it had better be divided into two enactments; for the rights of liberated Africans, about which there is no question, may be postponed, in case Her Majesty's Government shall object to the provisions of the Bill in regard to aliens. It is rightly stated by the Attorney General in his summary, that the 5th clause is taken from an Act recently passed in Nevis, but the subject should be sepa- rately submitted for consideration. . 6. There is also an inaccuracy in the language of the 5th, 7th, and 8th clauses of the Bill in referring to the time of the passing of the Act, instead of the time when the Act shall come into operation. * - 7. It is also proper that a Bill enabling aliens to hold any species of personal property should contain a provision that the enactment shall not be deemed to interſere with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 17 & 18 Vict. c. 104. - I have, &c. (signed) R. B. Hamilton. His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, Governor in Chief. St. Kitts. Enclosure 3, in No. 1. (No. 1 ) Sir, St. Christopher, 1 January 1857. I HAVE received your Excellency’s Despatch, No. 44 of the 26th ultimo, containing observations upon a Bill lately passed by the Council and Assembly of this island, intituled, “An Act to remove Doubts as to the Right of liberated Africans in the Islands of St. Christopher and Anguilla, and to amend the Laws relating to Aliens;” and in reference to the objections aised by your Excellency to this proposed enactment, I have the honour to transmit herewith a report which I have received from the Crown law officer, 2. I am precluded by the rules and practice of the Legislative Houses of this Island from taking any steps for bringing this proposed enactment under their consideration in its present state. I shall, therefore, be glad to receive definite instructions for my guidance, whether I am to assent to or disallow this Bill, as I fail to discover in your Despatch, No. 44, an intimation of the precise course which your Excellency would now wish me to pursue in this respect. I have, &c. (signed) Piercules G. R. Robinson. His Excellency the Governor in Chief, - &c. &c. &c. - Enclosure 4, in No. 1. Antigua, Government House, Sir, - 9 January 1857. I HAVE received your Despatch, No. 1, of the 1st instant, with a report of the Crown law officer on the subject of the Bill, intituled, “An Act to remove Doubts as to the Rights of liberated Africans in the Islands of St. Christopher and Angilla, and to amend the Laws relating to Aliens,” and informing me that you were precluded, by the rules and regulations of the Legislative Houses, from taking any steps to bring the proposed enactment under their reconsideration. 2. The law officer of the Crown states that the Bill in question embraces but one Subject- matter; but he also states, that while it naturalises liberated Africans and females married to British subjects, it confers on certain aliens privileges far short of naturalisation, which appear to me distinct subjects. It confers on all aliens, subjects of a ſriendly State, the right to hold, without naturalisation, every description of personal property; and, to prevent misconception, I thought it desirable that there should be an exception in regard to vessels, by an express recognition of the Merchant Shipping Act. O. l 3. U 2 3. By ST. KITTS. sº Encl. 3, in No. 1. Encl. 4, in No. 1. 150 PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. KITTS. cºmmºn- Encl. 5, in No. 1. En 3). 6, in No. I , 3. By the 25th section of the Royal instructions, the Governor is prohibited from assenting to any Bill for establishing a title in any person to lands, tenements, or real estate, purchased by aliens, antecedent to naturalisation; and this Bill will recognise the title of aliens with- out naturalisation to land acquired from the passing of this Bill, and antecedent to Her Majesty's assent. The language, therefore, in the 5th, 7th, and 8th clauses, to which I have referred as inaccurate, was proper in the Nevis Act, to which I was authorised to assent without a suspending clause. - 4. If, however, you are of opinion that the two measures cannot be disunited, without risking the ultimate failure of both, as intimated by the law officer of the Crown, you have my authority to assent to the Bill, in order that I may refer the same to Her Majesty's Secretary of State. 5. I transmit for your information the copy of the opinion of the Solicitor General of this Island on the measure. - - I have, &c. His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, (signed) Ker B. Hamilton, &c. &c. &c. - Governor in Chief. Enclosure 5, in No. 1. (No. 11.) - Sir, - St. Christopher, 15 January 1857. I HAVE received your Excellency's Despatch, No. 4 of the 9th instant, enclosing, for my information, a copy of the opinion of the Solicitor General of Antigua upon the Alien Bill lately passed by the Council and Assembly of this Island, and I have the honour to transmit a further report which I have received from the Crown law officer upon the subject. - . 2. I do not feel authorised to accord the Executive assent to this proposed enactment without further instructions from your Excellency, as the authority to assent to the Bill con- veyed in the 4th paragraph of your Despatch is contingent upon my being “ of opinion that the two measures cannot be disunited without risking the ultimate failure of both.” 3. I can see no grounds for arriving at such a conclusion ; on the contrary, so far as it is possible to form any conjecture as to the course which a new House of Assembly might pursue in a future Session, I am disposed to think that every disposition would be evinced to entertain, at the proper time, any reasonable amendment. 4. But I am advised by the law officer of the Crown that the Bill must, in the first instance, either be assented to or disallowed. If disallowed, I am informed that the House of Assembly would not reconsider the question in the present Session, as they have repeatedly declined entertaining the same measure twice in the same Session; and as proro- gation would at present be inconvenient, the measure would probably be shelved until the end of this year, or the commencement of 1858. 5. Under these circumstances, it remains for your Excellency to determine, irrespective of the merits of the objections raised, or the question as to the measure being ultimately passed in another shape or not, whether in the meanwhile the Bill may be assented to for the pur- pose of being referred to the Secretary of State. 6. It appears to me that neither delay nor inconvenience can result from the adoption of such a course, while on the contrary much good may follow; for if the measure be objected to in its present shape, we shall then be placed in a position, long before the Bill can, under any circumstances, be again brought before the Legislative Houses, to frame a new enact- ment or enactments in such a manner as to ensure the approval of Her Majesty's Secretary of State. * - I have, &c. His Excellency the Governor in Chief, (signed) Hercules G. R. Robinson. &c. &c. &c. Enclosure 6, in No. 1. (No. 6.) Antigua, Government House, Sir, - 23 January 1857. I HAVE received your Despatch, No. 11 of the 15th instant, requesting further instruc- tions with reference to the Bill, intituled, “An Act to remove Doubts as to the Right of liberated Africans in the Islands of St. Christopher and Anguilla, and to amend the Laws relating to Aliens,” in which you state you had been informed that, if the Bill were dis- allowed, the House of Assembly would not re-consider the subject in the present session, and that as a prorogation would be inconvenient, the measure would probably be shelved until the end of this year or the commencement of 1858. 2. Under these circumstances, I authorise you to assent to the Bill. * 3. It is to be regretted that any rules should prevail with the Assembly by which important measures may be indefinitely postponed; and I may express the hope that a rule so disadvantageous to the progress of public business may be hereafter modified. 4. I cannot, however, in reference to future legislation, consider the existence of any such rule as authorising a departure from a Royal instruction. I have, &c. (signed) Ičer B. Hamilton, - Governor in Chief. * WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 151 — No. 2. — (No. 80.) - *Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Hamilton to the Right Honourable Sir E. Bulwer Lytton, Bart., M. P. Leeward Islands, Antigua, 9 August 1858. sº (Received, 2 September 1858.) Sir, (Answered, No. 24, 5 October 1858, p. 154.) HAVING transmitted to the Lieutenant Governor of St. Kitts, Lord Stanley's Despatch, St. Kitts, No. 18* of 18th May, on the subject of the omission in the Immigration Act of St. Kitts, of any certificate from any person authorised by Her Majesty's Government that the contracts made with emigrants from Madeira are voluntary, and understood by them, I enclose copy of a Despatch from the Lieutenant Governor, explaining the course pursued in St. Kitts to prevent imposition in the contract of immigrants in respect of whom bounty is paid. I have, &c. (signed) Jõer B. Hamilton. Enclosure in No. 2. (No. 47.) - Sir, St. Christopher, 16 July 1858. I HAVE had the honour to receive your. Despatch, forwarding for my guidance a copy of a Despatch from the Secretary of State, pointing out an omission in the St. Kitts Immi- gration Act of any clause requiring, from any person authorised by Her Majesty's Govern- ment, a certificate that the contracts made with emigrants from Madeira are voluntary, and are understood by them, and desiring that the omission should be rectified in any future Act. --- 2. I am not quite clear whether it is the desire of the Secretary of State that such a certificate should for the future be obtained from an authorised Agent of Government residing in Madeira; or, if a certificate from an officer of this Government, previous to the emigrants being allowed to land, would be considered a sufficient security. If the latter is all that is necessary, I beg le ive to point out that such a precaution has hitherto invariably been adopted under the provisions of the existing Acts. 3. The Immigration Act is not in itself a complete measure, but must be read in connexion with the “Masters and Servants Act,” to which it forms a sequel. By the ST. KITTS. No. 2. Governor Hamilton to the Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M.P. - 9 August 1858. * Page 154. ~*. T- Encl. in No. 2. 13th clause of the Masters and Servants Act (No. 84), the Lieutenant Governor is empowered to appoint a Superintendent of Emigrants to watch over the interests of indigent and ignorant persons who may from time to time arrive in this Island from beyond the seas. By the 13th clause of the Immigration Act (No. 107), it is provided that no contract for service shall be valid unless countersigned by such Superintendent of Immigration, and that he shall be at liberty to refuse his counter-signature in case it appears to him that any fraud has been practised or that the contract is unreasonable. 4. Feeling upon the passing of the Immigration Act how much would depend upon the conduct of the Superintendent, who would moreover practically be in a great measure an irresponsible agent, no salary or remuneration of any description being allowed for his services, I determined to retain the matter under my own immediate superintendence, and appointed to the office my private Secretary, Mr. William Robinson, as reported in my Despatch, No. 33 of the 1st of August 1855. & 5. The system hitherto adopted under the laws in force has been as follows: Upon the arrival of every vessel with immigrants, the Superintendent visits the ship, and before affixing his counter-signature to the contract, without which the vessel cannot obtain the bounty money, he ascertains that the immigrants are satisfied with the treatment received during the voyage; that the terms of the contract are reasonable; that the signatures or marks of the immigrants thereto are genuine, that they were voluntarily attached, and with a clear understanding of the nature of the agreement entered into. He then, if satisfied, sanctions their disembarkation, and, in conjunction with the Immigration Committee, super- intends their distribution throughout the Island. - 6. I have carefully watched the introduction of immigrants into this Island from Madeira since the passing of the Act in 1855, and I believe that the system adopted here, when faithfully carried out, affords as good a guarantee as can be devised against misrepresen- tation, or any other unfair dealing with the immigrants. Every importer of immigrants knows that he must undergo this scrutiny upon arrival in this Island before he can qualify himself for the payment of the bounty money; that he must also come here accompanied by evidence to prove, if necessary (in the event of a fraudulent denial on the part of the immigrants), that the contract made by them was voluntary, and that the nature of it was fully explained to them; and he is aware that in the event of his inability to prove these facts he might have to land them here free, and unbound by any agreement for service. I believe the importer would be glad to substitute for this ordeal the certificate of an official at a foreign port. O. l 3. U 3 - 7. I have 152 PAPERS RELATING TO THE ST. KITTS. 7, I have thought it right to make these few observations as to the securities provided against wrong to the immigrants under the existing Acts; but, at the same time, I beg to state that I am satisfied there will be no indisposition here to substitute for the present system, or even to add to it if required, a certificate from some officer at Madeira, if such is the desire of the Secretary of State. - - 8. 1 entertain, however, grave doubts whether the substitution of a certificate from an officer in Madeira for the present sys, em would be as good a security for the immigrant; and if it were equired, in addition to the precautions at present adopted here, it may also fairly be questiºned whether any benefit could be derived from thus dividing the responsibility. tº B. 9. The only improvement which I can suggest in the system in force here is, that in all future appointments the Superintendent should be a paid, and consequently a responsible . . officer. The duties of his office, if faithfully discharged, are onerous and important; and, in addition to these, I observe, that the immigrants appear to look upon him as their adviser and friend, and whenever, during the period of their contract, they imagine themselves to be aggrieved, they almost invariably apply to him for advice before having recourse to legal proceedings before a magistrate. I have, &c. His Excellency the Governor in Chief, (signed) Hercules G. R. Robinson. &c. &c. &c. Antigua. — No. 3. — No. 3. (No. 131.) Governor Hamilton CoPY of a DESPATCH from Governor Hamilton to the Right Honourable to the Right Hon. Sir E. Bulwer Lytton, Bart., M. P. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M. P. • º Leeward Islands, Antigua, 24 Dec. 1858. . 24 December 1858. (Received, 20 January 1859.) Sir, (Answered, No. 63, 16 February 1859, p. 155.) \oswº: I HAVE the honour to forward a Despatch from the Lieutenant Governor of ºr St. Kitts, No. 91 of the 14th instant, enclosing a resolution adopted on the 6th of September by the Committee for promoting the Immigration of Agricultural Labourers, requesting that a portion of the captured Africans which are or may become disposable as emigrants, may be sent to St. Kitts. I have, &c. (signed) JKer B. Hamilton. Encl. in No. 3. º Enclosure in No. 3. (No. 91.) Sir, St. Christopher, 14 December 1858. \oswº: I HAVE the honour to enclose to you, for the consideration of the Secretary of State, a sº copy of a communication addressed to me by the Chairman of the Immigration Committee, -> covering a resolution advpted by the Committee in relation to captured Africans. . I have, &c. His Excellency the Governor in Chief, (signed) Hercules G. R. Robinson. &c. &c. &c. - Antigua. Sub-Enclosure. Sir, Bassterre, 3 December 1858. I HAVE the honour to transmit for your Excellency’s information, copy of a resolution adopted by the Committee for promoting the Immigration of Agricultural Labourers, at a meeting held on the 6th September last, and respectfully to request that your Excellency will be pleased to give effect to the same. $ I have, &c. His Excellency the Governor in Chief, (signed) J. L. Berridge, Antigua. Chairman Immigration Committee. Immigration Committee, 6 September 1858. It was Resolved, - - TI At his Excellency be respec fully requested to apply on behalf of this island for a proportion of the captured Africans which are or may become disposable as emigrants to the West Indies. Committee Rooms, 2 December 1858. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 153 Despatches from the Secretary of State. — No. 1. — (No. 1 1 1.) - Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M.P. to Governor Hamilton. Sir, Downing-street, 22 July 1857. I TRANSMIT to you herewith an order made by Her Majesty in Council on the 16th instant, specially confirming the Act passed by the Legislature of St. Christopher to remove doubts as to the rights of liberated Africans in that Colony, which accompanied your Despatch, No. 40 * of the 11th April last: I beg, however, to call your attention to the enclosed copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, suggesting some amendments in the Act, which will require the consideration of the local Legislature. I have, &c. (signed) H. Labouchere. Enclosure in No. 1. Office of Committee of Privy Council for Trade, Sir, - Whitehall, 17 June 1857. I AM directed by the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant, transmitting, by the direction of Mr. Secretary Labouchere, for the opinion of the Lords of th’s Committee, an Act (No. 442 of 1857) passed by the Legislature of St. Christopher, relating to the rights of liberated Africans and aliens. º In reply, I am to state to you, for the information of Mr. Secretary Labouchere, that if, as appears to be the case, the general provisions of the 5th section of this Act apply to ships, as well as to other property, they are not, in my Lords’ opinion, consistent with those provisions of the 18th section of the Merchant Shipping Act 1854. That section enacts, in substance, that a ship cannot be treated as a British ship, or use the British flag, unless owned by British subjects, and consequently gives to British subjects rights which it refuses to all foreigners, viz., the right of owning the particular species of property called a British ship, and the right of using that property under the protection of the British flag. This is clearly inconsistent with the very full and explicit language of the 5th section of the Colonial Act. The objection is, however, not of such importance as to render it necessary to suspend the Colonial Act, as it is clear that the general language of the 5th section of the Colonial Act must be controlled by the provisions of the Imperial Act. My Lords think, however, that the attention of the Governor should be called to sections 18, 19, and 38, of the Merchant Shipping Act (17 & 18 Vict. c. 104), and to forms B. and C. in the Appendix to that Act, as well as to paragraphs 12 and 13 in the Instructions to the Registrar of British Shipping, which have already been transmitted to the Colonies, and that he should be warned not to allow aliens in the Colony to own British ships, or to sail ships under the British flag. My Lords also think that advantage should be taken of the first opportunity to introduce such a qualification of the Colonial Act as m ly be neces- sary to bring the 5th section into accordance with the provisions of the Imperial Act. The remaining clauses of the Colonial Act do not appear to call for any observations from this Board. - I have, &c. Herman Merivale, Esq. (signed) James Booth. &c. &c. &c. Colonial Office. O ! 3. - - - U 4 ST. Kl'I TS. tº- No. 1. Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M. P. to Governor Hamilton. 22 July 1857. * Page 148. Encl. in No. 1. 154 PAPERS RELATING TO THE -sº ST. KITTS - — No. 2. — No. 2. (No. 18.) ;'s. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable the Lord Stanley M. P. tº: M. P. to Governor Hamilton. º, 1858 Sir, & - Downing-street, 18 May 1858. 3) " - I HAVE to acquaint you that my attention has been called to the fact that, by the Immigration Act of St. Christopher, which expired on the 2d instant, no certificate was required from the British Consul, notary public, or other person, approved of and acting under the authority of Her Majesty's Government, that the ºntº made with emigrants from Madeira are voluntary and are under- Stood. - ...It appears to me necessary that in any future Act this omission should be rec- tified; and you will therefore inform the Officer administering the Government * that Colony that a clause should be introduced accordingly into any such Ct. I have, &c. (signed) Stanley, — No. 3. — No. 3. (No. 24.) Right Hon. Sir E. CoPY of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M.P. B. Lytton, Bart., to Governor Hamilton. M.P. to Governor - º, 85.8 Sir, Downing-Street, 5 October 1858. 5 October 1858. I, HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 9th August, Wide page 151. St. Kitts, No. 80, with copy of one from Lieutenant Governor Robinson, on the subject of the omission in the Immigration Act of that Island of provision for a certificate from any person authorised by Her Majesty’s Government that the con- tracts made with emigrants from Madeira are voluntary and understood by them. 58. I transmit to you, for your information, a copy of a letter from the Colonial Q, ey So N º • e e St wevº. Land and Emigration Commissioners, to whom I caused these Despatches to be 23 *\ow" referred. * I concur in opinion with the Commissioners that the same rule which is applied to other Colonies should be applied to St. Kitts; and I have to request that you will instruct Lieutenant Governor Robinson to cause a clause to be inserted in the next immigration law, as suggested by the Commissioners. I have, &c. (signed) E. B. Lytton. Encl. in No. 3. Enclosure in No. 3. Sir, Emigration Office, 23 September 1858. I HAVE to acknowledge Lord Carnarvon's letter of 9th instant, enclosing the copy of a Despatch from the Governor in Chief of the Leeward Islands, with one from the Lieutenant Governor of St. Kitts, respecting a proposed amendment in the immigration law. - 2. The immigration laws of other Colonies approved by the Secretary of State, enact, with regard to emigrants from the Portuguese Island in the Atlantic, from Europe, the United States, or British North America, that the immigrants' contracts made out of the Colony shall not be valid unless approved by the Immigration Agent on their arrival, nor unless they are attested by a notary public, or British Consul, or by some other person approved by or acting under the authority of Her Majesty's Government, who shall declare that the parties entered into it voluntarily, and with a full understanding of its meaning. 3. The immigration law of St. Kitts, which sanctions immigration from the places above enumerated, provides that no such contract shall be valid unless countersigned by the Super- intendent of Immigrants, who may refuse his counter-signature if it appear to him that fraud has been practised, or that the contract is evidently unreasonable; but it makes no provision for the attestation at the port of embarkation. 4. Un Lord Stanley's letter of 2d of April 1858, the Lieutenant Governor was required to plocure the introduction into the St. Kitts law of a clause supplying this omission. 5. The Lieutenant Governor answers by pointing out that he has appointed his private Secretary to be Superintendent of Immigrants; that he watches himself over the adminis- - tration - WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. I55 tration of the law, and that he considers that no better security could be devised than that which already exists, and which makes it the interest of importers to act with regularity. 6. I have no doubt that the steps taken by Mr. Robinson have, in fact, secured regularity in an emigration now so well understood by the emigrants as that from the Portuguese Islands. Hut it will be observed, that he himself states the Superintendent of Immigrants to be in a great “measure an irresponsible agent, no salary or remuneration of any description being allowed for his services.” . And, as a general rule, it is plain that the discovery of a fraud at the end of a voyage, when the emigrants have left their country without the power of returning to it, is a very different thing from the same discovery at the moment of embarkation, when it is not too late for them to withdraw, and remain at home. - 7. I would recommend, therefore, that the same rule which is applied to other Colonies should be applied to St. Kitts, and that a clause should be inserted in the next immigra- tion law in the terms of the Trinidad Ordinance, No. 24, of 1854, sect. 5; or the Grenada Act, No. 230, 8th September 1855, sect. 14; the former is printed in our Annual Report of 1855, Appendix, page 97; the second in our Report for 1866, Appendix, page 149. I have, &c. Herman Merivale, Esq., (signed) Frederic Rogers. &c. &c. &c. - — No. 4.— (No. 63.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M.P., to Governor Hamilton. Sir, - Downing-street, 16 February 1859. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, No. 131,” of the 24th December last, forwarding a Resolution passed by the Immigration Commissioners of St. Kitts, requesting that a portion of the captured Africans who are or may become disposable, may be sent to that island. - I request that you will instruct the officer administering the Government of St. Kitts to inform the Committee that the number of captured Africans dis- posable is so small that there is no chance that any will be available for St. Kitts. I have, &c. (signed) JE. B. Lytton. ois. X ST. KIT"FS, sºmºsºm. No. 4. Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M.P., to Governor Hamilton. 16 February 1859. * Page 152, 156 - PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITI US. *mºs No. 1. Governor Higgin- son to Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M. P. 12 January 1857. M A U R IT I U. S. Despatches from the Governor. - — No. 1. — (No. 1.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Higginson to the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. Mauritius, 12 January 1857. º - (Received 18 March 1857.) Sir, (Answered, No. 318, 18 April 1857, page 257.) REFERRING to my previous Despatches, announcing the suspension of immi- gration from India, I have now the honour to transmit herewith a copy of a communication from the Secretary of that Government, explanatory of the reasons which have led to the adoption of this measure; and a copy of the reply, with its several annexures, made thereto by my directions. 2. I likewise annex a copy of the report presented by a committee of the whole Legislative Council (and adopted with only one dissentient voice), to whom the letter from the Government of India was referred. 3. It will be perceived, from a perusal of these documents, that the Govern- ment of India is dissatisfied with the measures adopted for the accommodation and medical treatment of the immigrants who arrived here in January of last year, in the ships “Hyderee” and “Futteh Mombarrack,” whilst subjected to quarantine ; that it considers Flat Island to be wholly unfitted for the purposes of a lazaret; that the existing quarantine regulations bear with peculiar and un- necessary harshness on the Indian immigrants; and that until the lazaret is placed on the mainland, and the quarantine regulations are so altered and revised as to afford better security for the due protection and proper treatment of the natives of India on their arrival, the prohibition now imposed on immigration will not be withdrawn. 4. That, on the other hand, the imputation of careless indifference and neglect towards the immigrants in question, imputed by the Government of India, is repudiated by that of Mauritius, and the obstacles that prevented prompter action for their relief explained; that the latter impugns the accuracy of much of the information on which the Government of India has condemned Flat Island ; that it is expected the improvements now in progress for facilitating the anchoring of vessels and landing of boats will render this island perfectly accessible, except in weather of extremely rare occurrence ; that on such occasions the coolie ships could anchor in the roadstead of Port Louis, where they could ride in safety until the weather moderated, and admitted of disembarkation on Flat Island; that the Government of India is invited to appoint a resident agent at Mauritius, if it should require this additional guarantee for the protection of its subjects; and that in all other respects this island is held to be peculiarly well adapted to the purposes of a quarantine station. 5. It is moreover promised that the Colonial Legislature will at once re-con- sider the laws of quarantine, with a view to the removal of the objections taken to them by the Government of India, so far as it may be found consistent with the safety of the public health. 6. Fearing that the Government of India will not be satisfied with this partial acquiescence in the conditions exacted, and that in consequence valuable time will be lost by further negotiations, I advocated the formation of a cholera lazaret on the mainland, where coolies might be disembarked only when alsº COUl IO T WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 157 could not be effected on Flat Island. By this arrangement not only would the practice of imposing “ quarantine under sail,” and a prohibition against vessels coming to anchor, to both of which the Government of India especially objects, be discontinued; but it would have fulfilled the condition laid down by that Government, that immigrants should be landed immediately on their arrival, whilst at the same time, in my opinion, greater security could be taken against the introduction of disease, in a strongly stockaded lazaret, watched by a military guard, than by permitting the infected ship to lay at anchor in the roadstead of Port Louis. 7. This proposition was made in committee, but rejected by a large majority, who are strongly opposed to resorting to the mainland, under any circumstances whatever, in which view they are warmly supported by as large a majority of the people of Miauritius, who either cling to the hope that the Indian Government will be induced to modify its demands, or prefer to try the chances of further negotiation, and to suffer the consequences of a more protracted suspension of immigration, rather than accept the possible contingency, however distant, of persons infected with cholera being disembarked on the mainland, a measure, in their estimation, pregnant with the utmost danger to the public health. 8. So strong are these convictions, and so dominant these apprehensions, that seeing the hopelessness of any successful attempt being made to stem the tide of popular opinion, I considered it to be my duty to espouse the views entertained by the Colony, on this, to it, vital question; and to cordially support the repre- sentations submitted to the Government of India, in order to obtain the with- drawal of the prohibition on the terms proposed by the Legislative Council. 9. If the quarantine restrictions be so far modified as to harmonise with the views of the Government of India, and with the practice of other countries, I submit that by the terms proposed by the Council, all essential objects may be attained. The administration of quarantine, it must be confessed, has at times been influenced more by alarm for the introduction of disease, than by due con– sideration for the comfort and convenience of those on whom it was imposed. An extreme dread of contagion overcame all attempts to mitigate its severity, and seemed to bid defiance to the contingency which has now occurred. My attention was early directed to the danger to wiich immigration was exposed by the course pursued, but my efforts to avert it proved fruitless; and all the regulations since adopted have been based on the prevailing theory. 10. The first results of the suspension will be to raise the price of labour, and to retard the extension of cultivation now in general progress; the temporary interruption will do no permanent injury, whilst the present value of sugar will enable planters to meet without much inconvenience, the expected advance in wages. But the general effect of the alarm and distrust excited by the measure, cannot fail to more or less circumscribe the operations of agriculture and com- IſlerCé. - / 11. The disastrous consequences, however, that must inevitably follow if the prohibition should be prolonged, I need not attempt to describe. A reference to the past history of Mauritius, and a glance at the chequered phases through which she has passed, will at once disclose them. It will, perhaps, be said that ſhese cannot again recur with the large number of immigrant labourers in the Colony; but as the term of their “industrial residence” expires, a large pro- portion of these men will annually return to India, not to come back again, as is now so frequently their wont. There would then ultimately remain only the comparatively few who have adopted Mauritius as their future home, of whom many are engaged in other pursuits, and will not work on plantations for hire. I need not pursue the story to its cheerless end, nor strive to enlist the sympathies of Her Majesty's Government, or solicit its mediation, if necessary, with that of the Honourable the East India Company, in averting so grievous a calamity from a valuable possession of the Crown, which after many harassing struggles and perilous ordeals, has at length attained a degree of prosperity almost unexampled in the annals of Colonial progress. For I well know that you, sir, will appreciate the conjuncture, and will not fail to adopt the measures which in your superior judgment may appear best calculated to meet the crisis, and to protect the interests of the Colony. - O. 13. X 2 12. Amongst MAURITIUS, 158 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAU. RFTFU.S. 12. Amongst the enclosures will be found a copy of an address from the ººmsº Chambers of Agriculture and Commerce to the Right Honourable the Governor __ T General of India in Council, praying for the early reopening of immigration, --~~~ and which, at their desire, has been forwarded by me to his Lordship. I have, &c. (signed) Jno. Higginson. Encl. 1, in No. 1. Enclosure 1, in No. 1. From Cecil Beaden, Esq., Secretary to the Government of India, to the Hon. J. Dowland, Colonial Secretary, Mauritius; dated the 31st October 1856. - Sir, - - I HAVE the honour to address you in continuation of my Despatch No. 1352, dated the 24th instant, wherein his Excellency the Governor of Mauritius was informed that the Right Honourable the Governor General of India in Council had felt compelled to suspend emi- gration of natives of India to the Mauritius from the 24th instant. 2. I am now directed to explain, for the further information of his Excellency, the reasons which led the Government of India to come to this resolution, and I am directed to express, on behalf of the Governor General in Council, a confident expectation, that however seriously the decision taken may for a time affect the commercial interests of the island, his Excellency and the people of Mauritius will, upon a calm review of the whole circumstances of the case, admit that no other course was open to the Government of India than that which it has adopted. 3. From the official report of the chief medical officer, enclosed in your Despatch of the 27th June 1856, to the address of the Secretary to the Government of Bengal, it appears, that although there had been considerable sickness and mortality in both the “Futteh Momburruck” and “Hyderee” during the voyage from Calcutta to Mauritius, there was no sickness on board either vessel when they arrived at Mauritius, except a few cases of fever. The vessels were, however, placed in quarantine, and after some days' delay, during which a few fresh cases of illuess occurred, but none of cholera, it was resolved by the Board of Health that the ships should proceed to Gabriel Island, and there land the immi- §. to remain in quarantine for an indefinite period. The immigrants by the “Futteh ombarruck” were landed on the 14th, and those by the “Hyderee” on the 17th and 18th January; they remained there till the 6th May, and during the intervening period of 16 weeks, out of 697 immigrants who were landed on the island 284 perished, 4. The chief medical officer is of opinion that there was no cholera during the voyage on board either ship; but the disease broke out immediately after the immigrants had dis- embarked on Gabriel Island, “running its course with all the features of a fresh epidemic;” and in the first six weeks of their stay on the island, there were 190 deaths among them, of which about one-half were from cholera, and the other half from fever, dysentery, and other Cal UlseS. 5. During the whole of this period the unſortunate immigrants were exposed to all the inclemency of the monsoon, with no other shelter than tents to protect them from its effects. They had no proper medical attendance. Of the supply of medical stores and provisions nothing is said; but it is vaguely admitted in Dr. Clerihew's report that privation was suffered, and great stress is laid on the stock of comforts so tardily supplied, although little good is attributed to it. - 6. In fact, it was not till the end of February, six weeks after the immigrants landed, when more than one-third of then had died, and when sickness was still raging amongst them, that any effectual measures were taken to improve their condition. A military medical officer was then sent down to assume the superintendence of the station; huts were built, and extra provisions of various kinds were supplied for the comfort of the sick. And the fact is undoubted, that, after these supplies had been received and other remedial measures had been taken, disease and mortality rapidly decreased, and were thereafter not more than might be expected to surpervene upon lengthened exposure, privation, and neglect, such as the survivors up to that time had undergone. 7. It is not the part of the Government of India to fix the blame of this occurrence upon any one, even if the information before it were such as to enable it justly and conclusively to do so. This must be left in the hands of the Colonial Government, to whom the Govern- ment of India confidently look for aid towards the protection of the natives of India, still in the Mauritius, by exposing and noti, ing as it deserves, the careless indifference by which, in whatever quarter originating, these people have so cruelly suffered. His Lordship in Council will merely remark on this head, that no special and formal inquiry seems to º: €6Il WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 1.59 been made into the condition and treatment of the immigrants during their stay on Gabriel Island, and especially during the first six weeks of it, and that the Protector of Immigrants, an officer whose special duty it is to watch over the interests of the Indian labourers and protect them from every kind of injury, does not seem to have concerned himself about them till the remnant were allowed to leave their miserable quarantine and proceed to Por Hlouis.” . - -- 8. But it is the imperative duty of the Government of India to take care that natives of India are not allowed to emigrate to any part of Her Majesty's dominions without full security for their just and proper treatment during the whole period of their residence there. The natives of India who leave their homes for Mauritius or any other Colony, do so in implicit reliance upon the faith of the Government of India that they will be so treated, and the Government of India cannot escape from the obligation imposed upon it to take steps to ensure that this shall be the case. & 9. It is a principle adopted with the full sanction of Her Majesty's Government, that to Colonies which are opened conditionally to the immigration of Indian labourers under contracts of service or industrial residence for a term of years, such labourers shall not be allowed to proceed in the first instance, till the Government of India is satisfied upon an examination of the colonial regulations framed for the purpose, that they will be duly protected and cared for after their arrival. The same principle demands that whenever circumstances occur which show that confidence in the due protection and care of such labourers, on or after their arrival at the Colony, can no longer be reasonably felt, the further emigration of such labourers should be checked. ... } 10. It is then as bearing specially upon the question as to whether emigration to the Mauritius can now justly be permitted to continue, and not with the view of imputing blame in any particular quarter, that the Governor General in Council feels it necessary to express his decided opinion, that in all human probability the mortality among the emigrants would not have occurred if those ill-fated people had been allowed to disembark at once on the mainland; and, further, that even supposing the necessity of quarantine on either Gabriel or Flat Islands, if proper precautionary measures had been adopted and proper shelter provided for the immigrants on their first landing, no such fatal results would have ensued. - t 11. It is true that measures are now being taken to prepare huts for the reception of future immigrants who may be required to perform quarantine in Flat or Gabriel Islands until the permanent buildings about to be constructed there are completed ; but the Governor General in Council has the strongest reason to believe that these isolated and frequently inaccessible rocks are wholly unfitted for the purpose of a quarantine station, while it is abundantly evident from the debates of the Legislative Council of the Mauritius, as reported in the “ &º Gazette,” that there is, on the part of the community of Mauritius in general, an intense dread of the introduction of cholera into the island by coolies, which leads to the enforcement of quarantine upon very insufficient proof of disease, and with needless harshness, and which does not appear to be tempered by any effective desire on the part of the Colonial Legislature to establish such quarantine arrangements as shall protect the health and lives of the emigrants, or even provide for the safety of the vessels in which they are conveyed. 12. The doubts which the official correspondence and other circumstances raised in the mind of the Governor General in Council as to the fitness of Flat and Gabriel Islands for quarantine, has been confirmed by a perusal of the official reportſ upon the subject by Mr. Wales, the harbour-master of Port Louis, presented to the Legislative Council at its sitting of the 6th of August, and of the Minuteſ of the Governor laid before the same body on the 20th idem. After reading Mr. Wales' report, the Governor General in Council is not surprised to find that his Excellency, the Governor of Mauritius, in addressing the Legis- lative Council speaks of Flat Island as “of extreme inaccessibility, which, though sus- ceptible of partial improvement, must always make landing and embarking there a service of considerable danger, and altogether impracticable during the prevalence of strong breezes.” Yet this very inaccessibility (which is admitted by all) is mentioned by a leading representative member of the Legislative Council as a reason for the selection of the island on account of the little chance which it affords of any infraction of the quarantine, and notwithstanding the Governor's condemnation of the place, it has been finally chosen as the site of a Cholera Lazaretto. 13. The Governor General in Council has also perused in the “Mauritius Commercial Gazette” of the 2d August, a letter, which, though anonymous, bears every appearance of accuracy and sober truth. The writer, who describes himself as having long resided on Flat Island, comes to the conclusion that that locality “is not suitable for a Lazaretto.” That his conclusion is just, will scarcely be doubted by any one who trusts this account of his long experience. He says, that during nearly the whole of the winter, the pass (which is described in the official report of the harbour-master above alluded to as a narrow channel between * The only remark made by the Protector is that “the immigrants landed from Gabriel Island (quarantine) were generally (on the whole) in good condition, and appeared in good spirits.” t Printed in the “Commercial Gazette” of 15th and 22d August. O. 13. X 3 MAURITIUS- º * 16o PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. between Flat and Gabriel Islands, with reefs on either hand and dangerous coral patches tºº in the channel, but nevertheless the best landing place) is closed ; that no communication can be held with the island at that season, and that in summer also it is impossible, whenever there is a strong breeze, the current, which is very strong in the channel and around the island, having caused the loss of many vessels. . He mentions the case of a ship arriving with coolies some years ago, and being ordered to disembark them on Flat Island, but being wholly unable to do so. He then states that the island grows nothing but cotton, that trees do not thrive there, that many persons have planted cocoa nut and other trees, but none have succeeded ; that the well water is brackish, and on Gabriel Island so salt as to be undrinkable. And he concludes by observing, that no pier or jetty which could be constructed would withstand the violence of the sea, and by citing an instance in which no communication could be had with the mainland for 81 days. - 14. The Governor General in Council has also obtained from some of the captains of vessels habitually engaged in the conveyance of Indian emigrants to the Mauritius, at present in Calcutta, their opinion as to the accessibility or otherwise of Flat and Gabriel Islands. These persons, while very careful not to say anything that could reflect blame upon the Colonial Government, are unanimous in stating that it is always dangerous to anchor a ship near the islands, both from their exposed position and from the nature of the ground, which affords little or no hold for an anchor; and that at times, no landing can be effected, and all communication, even by means of steamers, is suspended. So far as an examination of the chart can confirm these concurrent opinions it does so to the fullest extent. 15. It is upon this point that the Government of Mauritius have determined to place the Cholera Lazaretto. His Lordship in Council believes it to be totally unfit for that purpose, and that, as long as it is so used, immigrants to Mauritius will be exposed to risks and suffer- ings from which no care or watchfulness on the part of the Government of India can protect them. It is manifest that a regulation which refuses shelter to a ship until it has landed its Fº on an island, where landing is difficult and dangerous even in the finest weather, ut which is unapproachable commonly for two or three weeks at a time, and has been known to be unapproachable for nearly three months, is a regulation which imperils not. only an occasional boat-full of coolies, but whole ships with all their living freight. And it is equally manifest that such an inaccessible spot cannot be a fit place for the humane treat- ment, after they have landed, of several hundred men, women and children, presumed to be suffering from cholera and its consequences. - 16. These are the circumstances under which the Government of India has arrived at the conclusion, that emigration to the Mauritius cannot, with a due regard to the safety of the emigrants, be permitted to continue. The Governor General in Council will not consent to withdraw the prohibition until means are provided by the Mauritius authorities for enabling immigrants to land, under all circumstances, immediately on their arrival in the Colony, and, if they are compelled to keep quarantine, for securing them comfortable and spacious lodging, with proper food, comforts, and medical assistance during the period of their deten- tion. Even if the prinary objection should be removed by the establishment of the lazaretto on a more suitable spot than Flat or Gabriel Island, the Government of India will still require to be fully informed as to the rules by which the quarantine is henceforward to be governed at Mauritius, and to be satisfied that these do not bear with peculiar and unnecessary hardship upon Indian immigrants. The local Governments of Bengal, Madras. and Bombay have been requested to take proper measures for giving such persons as may have come to the Presidency towns for the purpose of embarking for Mauritius, and are unwilling to emigrate elsewhere, the means of returning to their homes, charging the expense to the emigration fund. Compensation will also have to be given to the owners of ships that. may have been chartered to carry native emigrants to the colony. I have, &c. (signed) Cecil Beadon, - Fort William, 31 October 1856. Secretary to the Government of India. Encl. 2, in No. 1. Enclosure 2, in No. 1. The Secretary to the Government of India. Sir, Colonial Secretary’s Office, 6 January 1856. I Have the honour, by direction of his Excellency the Governor of Mauritius, toº acknowledge the receipt of your letters under date the 24th and 31st October last, the first announcing the suspension of emigration from India to Mauritius, and the last explaining the motives which had induced the Right Honourable the Governor General of India in Council to adopt that measure, and stating the conditions on which alone it can be revoked. . In.” 2 WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 161 2. In answering this communication, it will, perhaps, be more convenient to endeavour, first, to exonerate the Government of Mauritius from the very grave complaints that have been made respecting the treatment of the immigrants who arrived by the “Hyderee” and the “Futtah Mombarruck” in the month of January last; and afterwards to submit, for the consideration of his Lordship in Council the reasons that can be urged for the withdrawal of the prohibition, keeping the two questions separate and distinct; the reputation of the Executive Government alone being concerned in the one, whilst the most important interests of the Colony are involved in the solution of the other. 3. The first subject noticed is that those immigrants were placed in quarantine, although no case of cholera had actually occurred on the voyage. The reasons by which the Board of Health were influenced in the adoption of this course, and the circumstances which led to it, will be found explained in the further report of the chief medical officer, transmitted herewith, and it would appear that the Board on this occasion only exercised the powers conferred by law upon it for the protection of the public health. 4. It is complained that the immigrants were exposed for six weeks to the inclemency of the monsoon, with no other shelter than tents, and without proper medical attendance. It cannot be denied that two errors (as they subsequently proved) were committed in preparing for the reception and medical treatment of the immigrants subjected to quarantine on Gabriel Island. These were, relying on tents to afford adequate shelter, and the nomi- nation of Dr. Finlay to act as Surgeon Superintendent. But in neither case can indifference or neglect, his Excellency the Governor submits, be Justly imputed to the Colonial Govern- ment, and for the following reasons. 5. No exception has hitherto been taken, in any quarter, to the use of tents, and the experience of all previous occasions on which immigrants had been disembarked at Flat or Gabriel Islands, had shown that tents were not only sufficient for the service, but that, Munder the covering which they afforded, the immigrants had rapidly recovered their health. | 6. By making similar provision, therefore, on this occasion, the Government had a mani- fest right to expect that security was taken for the accommodation of the immigrants. Unfortunately, however, unusually inclement weather set in some days subsequently to the disembarkation, and after a time the tents became ill able to resist its violence, the immi- grants suffering from exposure, whilst the heavy rains continued, until the huts were erected for their better accommodation. 7. In the selection of the Surgeon Superintendent, Government made the best arrange- ment at its disposal for providing proper medical assistance. It is true that this gentleman had been only a short time in the Colony, but he produced a regular diploma, and other certificates of professional qualifications to the chief medical officer, which induced this latter to recommend him for the appointment of Government medical officer in the Seychelles dependency. About the same time a surgeon was urgently required for qua- rantine, and he was employed on that duty, no other practitioner being willing to undertake it. lt is likewise to be borne in mind that there were to assist him the three native doctors who came down from Calcutta in charge of the immigrants, one of whom, however, died not long after landing; but another rendered most useful assistance throughout the quarantine, The selection of Dr. Finlay was an unfortunate one. He did not prove equal to the task confided to him, and so soon as this became known to Government he was immediately superseded by the appointment of a military assistant surgeon, whose services on the emergency were placed at the disposal of the civil government. - 8. It was impossible to have foreseen this untoward result; on the contrary, the grounds above stated appear to his Excellency, as it is hoped they will to his Lordship in Council, to fully justify the employment of Dr. Finlay on this service. 9. I would here observe, that a permanent superintendent of quarantine has since been appointed, and has within the last few days arrived from England. 10. The Government of India complains of the delay that took place before effectual measures were adopted for the relief of the immigrants. 11. This arose from the stop put to regular communication with the lazaret during the prevalence of the very boisterous weather above alluded to preventing Government from being kept well informed of the real condition of the lazaret; and in none of the few reports made by Dr. Finlay thereupon, was it stated that the shelter afforded to the immigrants had proved insufficient. 12. When the true state of things became partially known the chief medical officer was directed to proceed to the lazaret to satisfy himself on the subject, but after two unsuccessful attempts on 12th and 14th February, the steamer returned to Port Louis, without his having been able to land. Subsequently, that is so soon as the weather admitted of communication, Staff Assistant Surgeon Hazdie was sent down and landed at the lazaret. The result of his inquiries satisfied Government that Dr. Finay, though kind and compas- sionate to the sick, was deficient in some qualities essential for the efficient discharge of the responsible duty entrusted to him; and, as be!ore stated, he was superseded. O.I 3. . X 4 - 13. No MAURITIUS. 162 PAPERS RELATING TO THE © MAURITIUS. 13. No avoidable delay occurred in despatching workmen and materials for the erection — of huts after Government was made aware that the immigrants stood in need of a better shelter. On the 9th of February the chief medical officer recommended the measure; on the 12th the steamer start, d with workmen and materials to carry it into execution, but the state of the weather rendered all attempts to approach the lazaret unsuccessful until the 20th, after which the huts were constructed with all practicable despatch. 14. It is hardly necessary to state that the lazaret was fully provisioned throughout the quarantine, and his Excellency knows of no privations, inseparable fom quarantine, which the coolies suffered, except those caused by the inclemency of the weather, and the unfore- seen shortcomings of the superintendent, previously to the erection of the huts. The Chief Medical Officer was emphatically and repeatedly instructed to take care that medicines and everything else required for the use of the sick should be fully supplied ; and it will appear from his further explanations on these points that he acted in the spirit of those instruc- tions. But his Excellency conceives that he erred in not sending to the lazaret a larger supply of extra diet and medical comforts when the outbreak of disease was first announced. * * . . - - 15. In reference to the erroneous supposition, that no inquiry was made into the con- dition and treatment of the immigrants during their stay on Gabriel Island, I have to state that Staff Assistant Surgeon Hardie was despatched to the lazaret on the 19th of February for this purpose, and that on the 25th a commission of medical officers was appointed to investigate the same subject, who after examining the reports made by the officers in charge of the quarantine, and the information laid before theim as to the quantity of provisions, medical comforts, &c., sent to the lazaret, reported “that every necessary measure had already been adopted for the improvement of the health of the immigrants, and that they had no further recommendation to make, than that a small daily allowance of rum be issued to each of them.” 16. It was, moreover, expected that the more comprehensive inquiry instituted through the instrumentality of a special committee of the Legislature into the cause of the last out- break of cholera, would necessarily embrace all proceedings at the lazaret, from whence the disease was supposed to have been introduced. So soon as the Report of this Committee is presented, a copy thereof, with the evidence taken, shall be forwarded for the information of his Lordship in Council. - - 17. The annexed letter from the Protector of Immigrants will, his Excellency trusts, acquit that officer in the eyes of his Lordship in Council, of the wilful neglect of duty imputed to him ; as will be seen from the explanation tendered, that the immigrants were not and could not be placed under his charge until after their admission to pratique, and his Excellency conceives that it is no more than just to Mr. Hugon, to add that he has invariably found him most anxious to discharge his duty honestly and faithfully towards the natives of India residing here, in whose welfare he takes an anxious interest, and by whom, he is much confided in and respected. 18. Such are briefly the circumstances under which careless indifference and neglect towards those helpless victims of disease is imputed by the Government of India, to succour and protect whom the Government of Mauritius was bound by every tie of duty, interest and humanity; and for whose sufferings its deepest sympathies were awakened. ...But his Excellency indulges the hope that the Government of India, better informed, will see fit to withdraw so weighty and severe a censure, and that a more intimate knowledge of the particulars of this ãeplorable loss of life, will satisfy that Government, that, admitting the arrangements for receiving at one time, so unprecedently large a number of immigrants in quarantine (698) to have been incomplete, still, earnest and persevering efforts were made to repair the deficiency. Although from causes beyond its control, the remedial measures resorted to by the Colonial Government were unhappily, for a time retarded. 19. I now turn to the second division of the contents of your letter, namely, the conditions. on which the Government of India will cºnsent to withdraw the prohibition to emigration, which it has declared, and to the security proposed to be exacted for the due protection and care of the immigrants on and after their arrival in this Colony. 20. Upon this question, of such paramount and vital importance to the industrial pros- perity of this valuable possession of the Crown, it has been his Excellency's duty to consult the Colonial Legislature, and I beg leave, by his Excellency's directions, to annex, for the favourable consideration of the Right Honourable the Governor General of India in Council, a Report which has been adopted by that body on the subject. The bearings of the question are so fully, and, as his Excellency thinks, so fairly laid down in this report, that it only remains for his Excellency to offer, on two or three mooted points, a few further observations. 21. First, as to his Excellency's opinion of the inaccessibility of Flat Island, expressed in his Minute of the 20th of August 1855, and refºrr, d to in your letter. His Excellency had not then before him the report made, after careful examination of the localities, by a Board of highly competent officers, appointed to ascertain how far the anchorage and landing- {j at Flat Island could be improved, and which has greatly modified the opinion his xcellency was then led to entertain, ſounded partly on the difficulties experienced in com- municating WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 168 municating with Gabriel Island during the quarantine raised some time before, and partly from the harbour-master's report to which you also advert. The report of that Board, together with a letter from the master of Her Majesty's ship “Castor,” relating thereto, and a further report from the harbour-master, are now transmitted for the information of the Government of India. How far the works now in progress and others projecied will remove the only formidable objections to Flat Island, can be fully tested by experience alone. But it cannot be questioned that these works are well calculated to overcome, in a great degree, the existing difficulties, and to render the site much more accessible than it now is. 22. In all other respects, Flat Island may be considered well adapted to the requirements of a lazaret. His Excellency has himself visited the island, and fully concurs in this opinion. The accompanying map, with a report on its capabilities prepared by the Government sur- veyor, will give the Government of India more correct and accurate information on this subject, than that derived from the anonymous writer quoted in your letter, or from masters of vessels, who may be rather disposed to exaggerate than to underrate whatever risk or danger may exist, and who would naturally prefer running at once for the anchorage at Port Louis, to incurring the trouble and detention of landing coolies at any intermediate place. * 23. Indian immigrants have, on several occasions subsequent to 1849, undergone quaran- time on Flat Island, and no objection to the site has heretofore been offered by the Govern- ment of India. The site has, moreover, been approved by Her Majesty's Government for a permanent lazaret, and the Colonial Government has incurred considerable expense and made preparations for the construction of suitable and substantial buildings (plans of which are annexed, as well as of those projected at Cannonier's Point). These facts may perhaps exercise no influence on the decision of the Government of India; but it is hoped they may tend to invalidate the condemnation passed on the Government of Mauritius for the selection of this spot as a cholera lazaret. 24. My letter of the 12th November last to the Secretary to the Government of Bengal, will have apprised you of the extent and quality of the temporary accommodation now ready for the reception of immigrants on Flat Island and Gabriel Island. And the contractor has engaged to complete the buildings at Cannonier's Point, sufficient for 600 persons, by the 1st July next. It is likewise expected that the permanent buildings on Flat Island projected for occupation by immigrants, and the works for facilitating them, will be finished in about six months. - * - | 25. In a community where the conviction is all but unanimous that cholera and other epidemic diseases are introduced from abroad, and cannot be generated by local causes, strict and rigorous quarantine laws are resorted to as the surest safeguard against their introduction. From their provisions other persons are no more exempted than Indian immigrants; the latter only from their numbers, and the fact that these diseases so often break out amongst them, are more frequently subjected to their operation. These laws may appear unnecessarily stringent to those impressed with opposite convictions; but whether or not they be harsh or unnecessary, no exclusiveness or peculiarity can be justiy imputed, as all classes and races are equally liable to their operation. . . 26. The main objections entertained to the existing regulations appear directed against “quarantine under sail,” and prohibition to anchor immediately on arrival. The former has occasionally been resorted to, principally as a “quarantine of observation,” when the sanitary state of the vessel appeared to the Board of Health not to require immediate recourse to a more protracted quarantine at the lazaret; but, in some instances, from other causes. If the proposal of the Legislative Council (to which I shall hereafter advert) be accepted by the Government of India, both the practices objected to will necessarily be discontinued. iº 27. There has not been time since the receipt of your communication to revise the laws of quarantine; but, in accordance with the desire expressed by his Lordship in Council, copies of the regulations by which it is intended that quarantine shall be governed in future shall be transmitted to you by the first opportunity. 28. The Council proposes that the Cholera Lazaret at Flat Island should be main- tained ; but that, in the possible event of inability, from very tempestuous, weather, to immediately land the coolies there, the ships should proceed to the roadstead of Port Louis, there to remain until a landing could be effected at the lazaret ; and they also propose that an officer should be selected by the Right Honourable the Governor General, if deemed necessary, and sent to Mauritius at the charge of the Immigration Fund, under whose “surveillance” this plan might be carried out, and by which an additional guarantee would be given for its conditions being faithfully and strictly fulfilled. 6 29. His Excellency respectfully but earnestly recommends the acceptance of this pro- posal. He trusts that the Right Honourable the Governor General of India in Council may share his belief that the measures contemplated will secure due protection to the natives of India, whilst they will at the same time mitigate the lively apprehensions of the colonists by guaranteeing to their convictions greater security against future inroads of this much dreaded and fatal disease. O. 13. Y - 80. The MAURITIUS. *=s 164 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. *=ººse Encl. 3, in No. 1. 30. The coudition of the natives of India now residing in Mauritius is likewise referred to. On this interesting and important point, his Lordship in Council will be gratified to learn that his Excellency can report very satisfactorily. 31. A reference to the Immigration Ordinances and Regulations passed by the Govern- ment of Mauritius will at once demonstrate the scrupulous care taken to secure to the coolies just and proper treatment from their employers, and the freest exercise of all civil rights, on the termination of their industrial residence, should they resolve to remain longer in the colony. The coolies' security from oppression and wrong has been the constant aim of this Government, and its solicitude has not been thrown away. The experience of five years’ administration has enabled his Excellency to appreciate the true position occupied by Indian immigrants, and he has no hesitation in declaring that it may challenge a compari- son with that of the labouring classes in any other part of the British possessions. The climate is congenial; the price of labour always remunerative; liberal measures are in pro- gress for the education of the children of immigrants; perfect liberty of religious faith is allowed; hospitals and asylums are open for the sick, and all who are incapacitated from work are, if they desire it, provided with the means of returning to their native homes, It may in all truth be said, that this fertile stream of immigration enriches alike labourers and employers; and all who take an interest in the welfare and prosperity of either must greatly lament its diversion, even for a season. - 32. The Government of India has, as is observed, an unquestionable right to claim from the Government of Mauritius the most cordial co-operation in its efforts to protect the natives of India; and it may confidently rely on the loyalty and good faith with which this will be accorded. 33. Enough, his Excellency thinks, has been advanced to show that the Government of Mauritius is not open to reproach on this head. But if it should appear to the Right Honourable the Governor General that additional securities can be taken for the attainment of this object, his Excellency the Governor will be prepared to give, to any further measures that may be suggested, respectful and serious consideration. 34. In conclusion, I am requested to assure the Right Honourable the Governor General of India in Council, that it has been the desire of his Excellency the Governor to give the fullest and frankest explanations on the several topics treated of in your communication; and his Excellency trusts it may be found that these, together with the information con- tained in the report of the Legislative Council, and in the other documents annexed here- unto, have embraced all the material points of the question under review. I have, &c. . (signed) J. Dowland, Acting Colonial Secretary. P.S.—It was imtended that an officer of this Government should have been the bearer of this Despatch, but whose departnre has been deferred until he could carry with him the revised Quarantine Regulations. He will, however, proceed to Calcutta by the next con- venient opportunity, and will be able to afford any further explanation respecting the pro- ceedings and intentions of this Government upon any points on which more explicit information may be required. - Enclosure 3, in No. 1. To the Right Honourable the Governor General of India in Council, &c. &c. &c. May it please your Lordship, Mauritius, 26 December 1856. We, the undersigned, are commissioned by the Members of the Chambers of Agriculture and Commerce of Mauritius, respectfully to approach your Lordship on the subject of a Proclamation by the Government of India of 24th October 1856, suspending the emigration of natives of India to this Colony, and humbly to solicit your reconsideration of that measure, and of the reasons by which it appears to have been recommended to your Lord- ship's adoption. g We are aware that in thus venturing to address ourselves to your Lordship we are taking an unusual course, but we rely on your Lºrdship's justice and humanity for a favourable and patient hearing of our prayer on a subject of such vital importance to us, and on which a reso- lution, which, if maintained, will inflict certain ruin on hundreds of innocent families here, and also on many English subjects resident at home, has been taken without our having received any warning or having had the opportunity of submitting to your fair and im– partial consideration one word of deprecation. We are informed that “ the want of proper measures for the protection of emigrants immediately on their arrival in this colony,” set forth in the proclamation, refers "to the absence of sufficient accommodation for such of them as may arrive in vessels with disease on board; and that the measure has been more immediately caused by reports of the morality which occurred amongst those placed in quarantine in January last, and which is alleged to have been greatly aggravated by the then insufficient preparations, - - - The WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS, 165 The inhabitants of Mauritius will not deny that had they shown themselves wanting in humanity in the manner charged upon them, the measure taken by your Lordship, however severe, might have worn the appearance of justice, and they would have had less reason for remonstrance, or for hoping to enlist your Lordship's sympathies in their favour. But the facts, so far as they are concerned, are far otherwise, and could they hope that your Lordship's attention could be directed for a moment to a review of what took place here, and to the conduct which they themselves observed and urged on all, as far as their means or influence extended, they would feel entire confidence in your Lordship acquitting them of any want of care, anxiety, and readiness to make every sacrifice in their power to succour and protect the emigrants. The local press, the debates in the Legislative Council, addresses to the Government, and the votes subtilitted to and now sanctioned by Her Majesty's Government, abundantly show that the inhabitants of Mauritius, from the highest to the lowest, were cheerfully ready to make every effort and incur every outlay for the ‘reception and care of such e.migran's as might unfortunately arrive with sickness amongst them. And if it be borne in mind that when, after an interval of 35 years, cholera broke out amongst us in 1854, the Acting Governor, who was himself stricken with the disease, remained but a short time in office, giving the reins to a temporary successor; that our Governor had returned frcm Europe but a short time before the disease was again brought to our shores, it will cause less surprise and blame that the preparations to meet the visi- tation were not so complete as they now are. Uncertainties as to the best means of ensuring the requisite conditions of quarantine, combining assurance against dangerous communication with due accommodation, shelter, and attendance, existed. The necessary references of all the money votes and other steps to be taken, to Her Majesty's Government, had occasioned delays; but nowe more deeply than your memorialists regretted these delays, none more urgently called on the authorities to lose no time, and to spare no sacrifice and exertion, amply to provide for the comfort of such emigrants as might arrive with disease amongst them. Unhappily, from a series of circumstances which your memorialists could not control, but which are not likely to occur in combination again, the preparations projected had not been completed when the ships “ Futtah Mumbarrack” and “Hyderee,” arrived off our harbour with much and various sickness on board; cholera, amongst other dangerous and infectious maladies. Each ship had lost 22 lives during the voyage ; the ship's doctor afterwards avowed that the people came on board in a very sickly condition; the English medical man sent to the quarantine ground reported that a third of the passengers were already struck with disease. It could hardly have been expected, therefore, that amongst persons already so affected and predisposed, in whatever circumstances or conditions they might have been placed, sickness would not continue its fatal course ; but deplorable as was the loss of life amongst these passengers, a larger proportion of loss amongst English troops has occurred, from the prevalence of epidemic disease in India and various parts of the world, in spite of every precautionary and remedial measure. - It has been asserted that these passengers fell victims to want of food and water, the truth of which your Lordship will be able to judge of by referring to an investigation made here in virtue of an Ordinance obtained from the local Government, and sanctioned by Her Majesty, on the recommendation of his Excellency the Governor, expressly conferring pºwer to examine witnesses upon oath, and get at the truth. Deploring, as we do, the suffering that occurred, and of which, and of its causes, exagge- rated and perverted statements were made, to serve a purpose, we would beg now respect- fully to assure your Lordship, that great progress has been made in preparing ample accommodation for such emigrants as may be placed in quarantine, not, as has been asserted, on a naked and an unhealthy rock, but on an island the salubrity of which is well known, where there is a plentiful and never-failing supply of fresh water, and where henceforward everything needful will exist in abundance. Cottages have been already built, to receive, in comfort, more than 800 people, a larger number than has ever been, or is likely to be, in quarantine at one time. Her Majesty, on application from the Colony, has been pleased to appoint an English physician to reside upon the spot as superintendent. The buildings and accommodations will be further extended, if necessary; those only which have in view, not the shelter and comfort of the immigrants, but the means of lotiging the guard, to prevent communication, are incomplete. Landing places, to make the island easily accessible at all times, after a careful re-exami- nation by the harbour-master, assisted by the new head of the Engineer department, Captain Mann, of the Royal Engineers, and the master of Her Maj sty's ship “Castor,” have been planned, and can be completed in three months; and telegraph stations have been already established, by means of which communication from the quarantine ground to the head of the Government is constant and instantaneous. We observe that an anonymous letter, published here, stating that any communication with Flat Island has been impossible for a period of eighty days at a time, had been brought to your Lordship's notice, and not unnaturally had arrested your Lordship's attention. The exaggerations of this letter, and the motives for it, were so well understood here, that at the time no one attached any importance to it, nor thought it worth while to contradict it. The truth is, that it has never happened that a landing could not be safely effected for a longer period than eight days together, and continuance, even for so long, of such weather as to make landing imprudent, has been very tare. In fact, the landing, even without the works O. 13. - Y 2 IłOW MAURITIUS. ** 166 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. now in progress, never offered more danger or discomfort than is constantly encountered at oºmsº Madras, and the neighbouring port of St. Denis, and many other places. The best proof of this assertion is the fact, that though Flat Island has been used as a quarantime station for more than five years, and many emigrants have been placed there at different seasons of the year, not a single accident has occurred to the sick or the healthy, at the landing or re-embarkation. * That Her Majesty's Government, the Military authorities at home, and the General com— manding here, have authorised detachments of Her Majesty's troops to be landed and stationed on the island, to serve as a quarantine guard, may be taken to prove that Flat Island presents the character we have ascribed to it, and induces the hope that the erronedus ideas of the locality which have been conveyed to your Lordship's mind may be removed. In addition to the arrangements on Flat Island, separate accommodation and means of treatment are being provided on the mainland for emigrants who may be attacked by small- pox, or other contagious diseases of a similar nature, so as to prevent the possible accumula- tion of a large number of sick on the same spot. For the necessary works a sum of 55,000 l. has been voted by the local Council, after receiving the authorisation of the Secretary of State; and it is certain, that if science and humanity prescribe more to render the arrange- ments satisfactory to the Indian and Imperial Governments, more will be supplied. For the inhabitants of Mauritius will be found urgent to have every means employed which can lessen the mortality or mitigate the sufferings of a state of confinement, to which, in Europe, and other English ports as well as this, persons arriving with dangerous and communicable diseases are unfortunately liable. They look upon the isolation of such pas- sengers as a necessary precaution, not lightly to be dispensed with. It is believed here that such means should be taken as, under Providence, seem calculated at once to provide for the care and treatment of emigrants arriving in ships with sickness on board, and to guard against the contagion spreading. It was felt by the people here that it was more humane to subject the passengers of one or more ships to the inconveniences of quarantine in a healthy spot, and with every proper appliance and comfort, or even to detain them for some days longer on board a ship, which by the regulations must be amply provisioned, and offer them ample room, accommodation, and medical attendance, than to risk the re-introduction here of a disease which had swept off, not hundreds, but thousands in the space of a few weeks. And though the present preparations preclude the chance of such detention again, we venture to submit to your Lordship that at the same time that emigration is suspended to Mauritius, it is continued to the West Indies; and that in case of cholera or other disease breaking out in ships for that destination, the length of the voyage necessarily exposes the emigrants to a longer detention than has ever occurred here, whether the ship has been directed to land her passengers at once in quarantine, or to cruise for a short period. We need not remind your Lordship that from Mauritius emanated suggestions which have been adopted by the authorities in India apparently with the best effect, calling for greater care and selection at the embarkation of emigrants, greater heed to the quality and description of the food supplied to them, a better choice of medical atten- dants during the voyage, and the enforcement on the owners and captains of ships of more attention to cleanliness, air, and exercise, and the inhabitants of Mauritius will grudge no necessary additional expense to insure still more strict compliance with these important requisites. Your memorialists touch on these considerations because they observe in the Indian press, and have reason to believe, that representations have been made upon them to your Lordship in a tone of hostility to the inhabitants of Mauritius and to its interests. In some quarters, their opinion on the at least debated question of the contagion of cholera, seems to be held as putting them out of the pale of humanity, and to make them deserving of every misfortune that can be brought upon them; and a virulent, and to them an inexplicable satisfaction, is expressed at the suspension of emigration, as the proper punishment for their presumed wilful ignorance and inhumanity. - Whether cholera be communicable by human intercourse, as seems now to be the opinion of the most recent authorities in Europe, or not, the inhabitants of Mauritius have thought that were it only doubtful, common sense and humanity requires the adoption of quarantine as the best human means to preserve themselves, their families, and dependents, and 130,000 natives of India now settled on their soil, from danger. Their conviction is conscientious and sincere, and based on what passed under their own eyes. They all remarked that during 1854 and 1856 there was no instance of the appearance of the disease on spots previously healthy, without communication being traced to infected places, and they could not shut their eyes to the striking fact that the Island of Bourbon, so near to Mauritius that the summits of its mountains can be seen from our shores, which may fairly be con- sidered as subject to the same atmospheric influences, and which has the same mixed population of Europeans, Africans, and Indians, remained entirely free from cholera during the months it was raging here. But during that time the strictest quarantine was enforced around the French Island, and all communication with the Mauritius was stopped. It is moreover undeniable, that every outbreak of cholera here has been preceded by the arrival of one or more vessels with the disease on board. - - We will not presume further in this address to your Lordship, to discuss the question of contagion; we believe we have said enough to disculpate ourselves from the charge of perverse WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 167 perverse and wilful ignorance, which at any rate we should only share with some of the most distinguished physicians of the day, and with more than one of the medical staff of Her Majesty's army, who, after familiarity with cholera in India, had occasion to study and report upon its course here also. But, however well-founded our own opinion appears to us to be, we do not cherish it with fanaticism, nor do we seek to injure or vilify those who may not share it. Your memorialists are fully assured that the sentiments to which they have alluded can- not have had any weight with your Lordship in Council, but the charge of inhumanity to the natives of India, if believed in by your Lordship, may have such permanent and grievous consequences to this dependency of the Crown, as to enforce from us the most emphatic denial. - We do not know what proofs to select against such an accusation. For 20 years, Indians in great numbers have annually sought our shores; many have returned to India, with improved habits, increased strength, more robust morally and physi- cally, and with, for them, considerable wealth. They have encouraged their friends and relatives to come here in pursuit of the same advantages. Many, after a short residence at home, have returned to settle permanently here; and in all this time we defy any proof of inhumanity or want of care to be brought forward against the colonists in whose service they have been. That there do occur here, as in other communities, particular instances of neglect or hard- ship, is only to say that human nature is imperfect here, as elsewhere; but that any labouring population in the world is more protected by the laws and the authorities, or more generally well-treated and prosperous, would be an assertion entirely at variance with facts. Much unfounded distrust and suspicion against the Mauritius planters did exist after the slave emancipation; but repeated inquiries, the statements of travellers and dispassionate observers, of officers of Her Majesty's Army and Navy, of distinguished members of the Honourable Company’s civil and military service, the declaration of our late Governor, Sir George Anderson, and of our present Governor, both intimately acquainted with the state of the Indian population at home, form a body of testimony as to the well-being of the labourers here which we may boldly refer to as outweighing any contrary assertions. But such testimony, by all that we have read in books of travels, or have gathered from the evidence before Committees of Parliament and from official reports in India, we have been constantly left with the conviction that the Indian here is at least in as prosperous and happy a state as at home. If we might trust to the representations of the Indian press, we might even believe that in every respect, moral and physical, the condition of the Indian labourer here contrasts most favourably with that of the ryot in India. We do not know how Europeans in India treat their native dependants in such circum- stances, but it is a fact undeniable that here, notwithstanding our opinions as to contagion, the Indian labourers, during the recent visitation of cholera, were watched over by their masters, who gave them their constant personal attendance, and that many passed nights by the bed-sides of their sick labourers, applied the remedies, and chafed their limbs with their own hands. It is with shame and reluctance that we feel compelled to defend ourselves before your Lordship by such statements. Independently of the common feelings of humanity, which their belief in the contagion of cholera seems to have been held a sufficient ground for denying to the inhabitants of Mauritius, it cannot but occur to your Lordship that their own interest must present some guarantee for the fair treatment of the labourers, on a con- tinued recruiting of whom their all depends. But if, unfortunately, prejudiced and unfounded statements have misled your Lordship on this subject, they humbly invite the fullest inquiry, confident that such an investigation by any competent and impartial persons whom you might appoint would dispel all doubt from your Lordship's mind, and fully confirm the assertions which they are under the neces- sity of making in their own favour. Having thus endeavoured to place the inhabitants of Mauritius in a true light before your Lordship, as regards their feelings towards and treatment of their Indian labourers, your memorialists now beg succinctly to state the consequences which a continued sus- pension of emigration will inflict ou the Colony. It is, doubtless, unnecessary to inform your Lordship that its sole produce is sugar, and that produce is entirely raised by emigrant Indian labourers. The emigration was at first entirely conducted by private individuals. It was put a stop to in 1839, in consequence of certain abuses alleged to be committed in India. In 1842, under regulations made by the Imperial and Indian Governments jointly, it recommenced, and has continued uninterruptedly till now, to the great advantage of the emigrants them- selves as well as of this Colony, and of the trade both of England and India, as will partly appear from the figures which we shall have to state below. The inhabitants of Mauritius could not but place reliance on the often declared disposition of all parties, and every Ministry in England, to aid her sugar colonies in their competition with the slave labour of foreign countries; and the respective Governments of England, India and Mauritius, having, after due deliberation, settled the details of emigration, and O. 13. Y 3 officers MIAURITIUS. 168 - PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. officers having been appointed duly to carry out the regulations, they felt perfect confidence ** in an uninterrupted supply of labour, and that no measure so fatal to them could again be resolved on and carried into execution without warning. - Under this conviction, and in spite of severe trials and losses, the colonists displayed energy and perseverance to surmount the difficulties brought upon them by the changes of com- mercial policy. Encouraged by the repeated assurances of successive Secretaries of State, that so long as the natives of India should be willing to come here and labour, there should be no artificial hindrance of emigration, nor limit to it, but the will of the people themselves. and the means of the Colony to bring, employ and pay them, they strained every effort, and obtained new capital; improved and increased the machinery necessary to their industry, at the same time that they bettered and extended their cultivation. In this industry their whole fortunes, and a large amount of English capital, has been, and is employed, and this, Cólony might be said, at the very moment of this unexpected blow from your Lordship's hand, to be triumphantly solving the questions of free labour and free trade. - - Your Lordship will see the magnitude of the interests involved when we state that our production of sugar; which was in 1843 only 30,000 tons, has been raised to 120,000 * tons, almost a third part of the whole consumption of Great Britain. On this production, which was still on the increase, depends a large and increasing trade with England, and also with India; importing annually from the latter country produce to the value of nearly half a million sterling, 800,000 bags of grain alone; and employing 70,000 tons of shipping. If unfortunately your Lordship in Council should be induced to continue the suspension of emigration, not only will this prosperous progress be arrested, but ruin, rapid and universal, will fall on every interest in this Colony. Every inhabitant, merchant, or planter, and their families and dependents, and ultimately the Indians settled here themselves must suffer, and English capitalists will again have to lament not having lent their money to develop the resources of a foreign rather than a British Colony. To cultivate the soil on terms which will permit the owner to live and do honour to his engageinents towards others, it is beyond doubt that a certain number of emigrants are required to be introduced annually, to supply the place of those who return home with their savings, and of the still larger number who, as soon as they have saved a small capital, or find a more tempting occupation, quit agricultural labour. Already the bare announce- ment of the suspension of emigration is increasing the rate of wages to a point which will speedily nake it doubtſul whether it be wise to put fresh plants into the ground; and this rise in wages will, at first, at least, accelerate the rate at which laboureus will retire on their savings, and the number of available hands be diminished. - The consequences of a prolongation of this state of things cannot be either distant or doubtful; the crop of sugar, on which all the engagements and revenue, whether of the Government or of individuals, exclusively depend, will be made at a loss, and rapidly diminish. It is not too much, therefore, to say that a continuation of the suspension for six months may inflict oil this Government and individuals pecuniary losses which it may require years to repair; and that its perpetuation will inevitably degrade this Colony from its pre-eminence as a self-supporting dependency of the Crown, and entail irreparable ruin on the inhabitants for no fault of their own, without any authentic inquiry having been made, and without their having had the privilege of being heard in their own behalf. Although these considerations might seem to be out of your Lordship's province as charged with the government of another portion of Her Majesty's dominions, yet we appeal to your Lordship to look upon Mauritius as an integral part of the same empire, and entitled to the aid and sympathy of all who bear trust under, and owe allegiance to our gracious Queen. , The trade of this island is, as we have shown, important not only to England, but to the empire over which you preside, and depends entirely on its production of sugar. We will not dwell at length on the effect on the people of England of the serious dimi- nution in the production of that essential article with the present enhanced price and limited supply at home, nor on the cutting off of the considerable outlet for Indian produce, and employment of Indian shipping. But there is another side of the question to which we respectfully request to be per- mitted briefly to refer; that is, to the effects of the suspension of emigration on many of the natives of India themselves. Not to mention the hardship on such Indians as have gone back to their country to fetch their friends and relations to share in their prosperity here, and many of whom have left a portion of their earnings and their wives and children to await their return, we have reason to believe that the number of natives desirous to come here, with the prospect of bettering their situation, has not diminished. In a recent number of a Calcutta newspaper we real, “If the suffering of the poor in India springs from over-population, it is possible to create a system of internal emigration to our own waste lands, greatly to the benefit of the revenue.” W - e WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 169 We venture respectfully to submit to your Lordship in Council that the existence of such a doubt would appear to justify our expecting your Lordship to be the more inclined to listen to our petition, and to permit, such natives as may be desirous of seeking comfort and employment elsewhere than in their native villages, to follow their inclinations, and avail themselves of the advantages open to them here. The suspension of emigration to Mauritius must tend to force the people either to the less salubrious climate of the West Indies, in spite of the risks of the longer voyage, or to the French island of Bourbon. It is well known that many natives of the British ter- ritories have been, and probably will be introduced, through Pondichery, into that island where at least they are not better treated than here, and where quarantine is most sent sitively and strictly enforced, and where no quarantine, except at anchor or under sail, is possible. - We are assured that your Lordship would sympathise with the feelings of British colonists, contrasting their own ruin with the full career of prosperity of a foreign, though friendly colony, ; a contrast which must be the more poignant from the fact, that this pros- perity should in part depend on the continued flow of labour from sources closed to them- selves, and to which they might appear to be entitled to the freest access. - We feel that we have intruded at great length on your Lordship's attention; but to endeavour to give your Lordship, a more correct and favourable impression of what has been and is doing, for the reception of the natives of India here, is our only resource. The only safety of the weak is to appeal to the justice of the strong; the moral responsibility of a decision will lie with your Lordship ; and we cannot but believe that when the truth has been made known to you, your Lordship in Council will absolve us of the charges laid against us, and that your sympathy and equity will avert from us the calamities which seem so undeservedly and unexpectedly to threaten us. * In conclusion, we trust that we have proved to your Lordship, That the occurrences at Gabriel Island in January last, whatever may have been the want of proper measures and foresight on the part of some of the Government servants, cannot be imputed to, nor justly visited upon, the inhabitants of Mauritius. That as soon as they were known to them, they urged on the authorities to hastem their exertion to give aid and relief. * That they have impatiently urged the perfecting of a proper lazaretto, accessible at all times, and fitted to receive in comfort, and with every appliance, a larger number of inmates than have ever been at one time in quarantine. That Flat Island is perfectly suited in itself for a quarantine station, and can and will be made as easily and safely accessible, at all times, by the works now in hand as the mainland. e That Her Majesty has nominated a competent medical superintendent to reside there. That the consequences of the prolonged suspension of emigration will be great hardship to many natives of India, and certain ruin to an unoffending British Colony. But if any doubt remains in your Lordship's mind as to the truth of these statements, the colonists invite your Lordship to commission any competent and impartial inquirer to verify them, and ſo ascertain that measures to your Lordship's satisfaction are taken here to enable immigrants to land immediately on their arrival, and, if they are compelled to keep quarantine, for securing them comfortable and spacious lodging, with proper food, comforts, and medical assistance, during the period of their detention. For all these reasons your Lordship is humbly, but urgently, entreated to take this petition into your prompt and favourable consideration; to be pleased to allow emigration to Mauritius immediately to recommence, and to direct the agents at the different ports in India to resume the transmission of emigrants as before. And we will ever pray, * (signed) C. W. Wiehe, President, Chamber of Agriculture. IR. Stein, President, Chamber of Commerce. J. S. Fraser, Uſcog. F. Hart. Rougé. P. A. Wiehe. Fropier. MAURITIUS. tº-sºme 170 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. *sº No. 2. Governor Higginson to Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M.P. 14 January 1857. Yºncosº 2 . — No. 2. — (No. 3.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Higginson to the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M.P. Mauritius, 14 January 1857. (Received, 20 March 1857.) Sir, __ (Answered, No. 319, 18 April 1857, page 270.) I BEG leave to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, No. 195, of the 6th October, relating to the unusual mortality that occurred amongst the Indian. immigrants who arrived here in the “Hyderee” and “Futteh Mombarrack,” whilst subject to quarantine on Gabriel Island. 2. It would appear from this communication that my report of this lamentable event has not explained in sufficient detail the proceedings adopted by the local Government, and that, in consequence, it has been exposed to the imputation of not having taken more active and energetic measures to meet the emergency, which further information as to all the circumstances of the case will, I hope, remove. I regret that these details were not before furnished, but it did not occur to me that they would be required. 3. The points to which my attention is specially called are, the non-detention of the ships that brought the emigrants for the purpose of affording them shelter; the delay in despatching timber for the construction of huts when it became known that the tents had proved inadequate, and in sending extra articles of food for the relief of the sick; the insufficiency of the medical assistance supplied; and the character of the supervision exercised by the chief medical officer over the quarantine service. . 4. On the first point it is to be observed, that the very inclement weather did not set in for several days after the immigrants had been disembarked, and there was therefore no reason to anticipate that such shelter as the ships could afford would have been required. Subsequently, however, the question of sending down ships to remove from the lazaret those who were able to embark was considered, not for better shelter, which was at this time supplied, but in the hope that the removal might have checked the progress of disease, and miti- gated its severity. But the medical authorities, entertaining doubts as to the expediency of the plan, it was not adopted. 5. In regard to the other points referred to, the letter from this Government to that of India, copy whereof was transmitted to you with my Despatch, No. 1, of 12th January 1857, contains the plainest explanation that it is in my power to give, and which it does not seem necessary for me to recapitulate here; but for more easy reference, I extract the paragraphs of that communication bearing more directly on the topics in question. 6. Having communicated your Despatch under acknowledgment to the chief medical officer, I annex a copy of a further report which he has made. From this, it will be remarked, that the supply of articles of extra diet for the sick commenced a month sooner than was inferred from his previous report, and that his reason for not earlier recommending the erection of huts was from an appre- hension of danger to the public health, from the more frequent intercourse with the lazaret thereby necessitated. 7. The meagreness and irregularity of Dr. Fanlay's reports, and the impos- sibility of maintaining a regular communication with the “lazaret,” formed serious impediments to prompter action, and more vigilant supervision of what was going on there, and materially retarded the remedial measures, which it was no less the imperative duty than the earnest desire of all concerned to see carried into execution. 8. It is satisfactory to me to learn that the provision made, in the first instance, for the accommodation of the immigrants, does not, in your opinion, lay WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 17 lay the Colonial Government open to reproach ; but it is not the less a subject of deep regret that, owing to circumstances beyond its control, this provision, after a time, proved insufficient, subjecting many who were struggling with severe and painful sickness to the consequences of exposure, which, in less inclement weather, would have been avoided. 9. I assure you, sir, that during a long career of public service (32 years), I can recall no incident which has caused me more anxiety and pain than the deplorable mortality amongst those ill-fated immigrants, elsewhere not unex- ampled, it is true, but still so great as to warrant the apprehension that it may have been aggravated by the unfavourable conditions of the position in which they were at first placed ; and although I can most assuredly reproach myself with neither indifference or dereliction of duty, I am not the less sensible of the share of responsibility attaching to the head of the Government for the proper administration of quarantine, which, it may be observed, is in this colony greatly enhanced by the extreme difficulty of reconciling with the ultra contagionist doctrines that prevail the adoption of measures involving any communication with the lazarets, however carefully guarded, and which, on the occurrence of so frightful and unlooked-for an outbreak of disease as that on Gabriel Island, became indispensable to the succour and relief of those who were so grievously afflicted. , I have, &c. (signed) J. M. Higginson. Enclosure 1, in No. 2. IExTRACT from Acting Colonial Secretary's Letter, dated 5 January 1857, to the Secretary to the Government of India. 7. In the selection of the surgeon superintendent, Government made the best arrange- ment, at its disposal, for providing proper medical assistance. It is true that this gentleman had been only a short time in the Colony; but he produced a regular diploma and other certificates of professional qualifications to the chief medical officer, which induced this latter to recommend him for the appointment of Government medical officer in the Seychelles dependency. About the same time, a surgeon was urgently required for quarantine, and he was employed on that duty, no other practitioner being willing to undertake it. It is like- wise to be borne in mind that there were to assist him, the three native doctors, who came down from Calcutta in charge of the immigrants, one of whom, however, died not long after landing; but another rendered most useful assistance throughout the quarantine. The selection of Dr. Finlay was an unfortunate one; he did not prove equal to the task confided to him, and so soon as this became known to Government, he was immediately superseded by the appointment of a military assistant surgeon, whose services in the emergency were placed at the disposal of the Civil Government. 8. It was impossible to have foreseen this untoward result; on the contrary, the grounds above stated appear to his Excellency, as it is hoped they will to his Lordship in Council, to fully justify the employment of Dr. Finlay on this service. 9. 1 would here observe that a permanent superintendent of quarantine has since been appointed, and has, within the last few days, arrived from England. 10. The Government of India complains of the delay that took place before effectual measures were adopted for the relief of the immigrants. 11. This arose from the stop put to regular communication with the lazaret during the prevalence of the very boisterous weather, above alluded to, preventing Government from being kept well informed of the real condition of the lazaret, and in none of the few reports made by Dr. Finlay thereupon, was it stated that the shelter afforded to the immigrants had proved insufficient. - - - 12. When the true state of things became partially known, the chief medical officer was directed to proceed to the lazaret to satisfy himself on the subject; but after two unsuccessful attempts, on 12th and 14th February, the steamer returned to Port Louis, without his having been able to land; subsequently, that is, so soon as the weather admitted of com- munication, staff assistant surgeon Hardie was sent down, and landed on the lazaret. The result of his inquiries satisfied Government that Dr. Finley, though kind and compassionate to the sick, was deficient in some qualities essential for the efficient discharge of the respon- sible duty entrusted to him ; and, as before stated, he was superseded. 13. No avoidable delay occurred in dispatching workmen and materials for the erection of huts, after Government was made aware that the immigrants stood in need of a better shelter. On the 9th February, the chief medical officer recommended the measure; on the 12th, the O. 13. Z Steamer MAURITſ U.S. tºº lºssº Encl. 1, in No. 2. 172 - PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. Encl. 2, in No. 2. Date of Requisitions. January 31. February 4, 12, 16, 22, 25, 27, 28. March 3, 4, 10, 17, 24, 31. steamer started with workmen and materials, to carry it into execution; but the state of the weather rendered all attempts to approach the lazaret unsuccessful, until the 20th, after which the huts were constructed, with all practicable dispatch. * - * 14. It is hardly necessary to state that the lazaret was fully provisioned throughout the quarantine; and his Excellency knows of no privations, inseparable from quarantine, which the coolies suffered, except those caused by the inclemency of the weather, and the unfor- seen shortcomings of the superintendent, previously to the erection of the huts. The chief medical officer was emphatically and repeatedly instructed to take care that medicines and everything else required for the use of the sick, should be fully supplied; and it will appear from his further explanations on these points, that he acted in the spirit of those instructions. But his Excellency conceives that he erred in not sending to the lazaret a larger supply of extra diet, and medical comforts, when the outbreak of disease was first aſhlil Oull CeC1. - - - Enclosure 2, in No. 2. * Civil Medical Department, Sir, 6 January 1857. * I HAVE the honour to submit the following observations on the Despatch of the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, No. 195, dated 6th of October 1856. 2. It is stated in the Despatch, that, “ as the weather was peculiarly inclement, it is to be regretted that the ships which brought the immigrants were permitted to leave the island, since their shelter might apparently have been of great value in the absence of any letter.” 3. Although it does not belong to me to answer this remark, I beg to observe that the weather was fine when the immigrants landed, and continued to be so for nearly a fortnight afterwards, that is, until the 1st of February, the whole of January having been exceedingly dry. - 4. It is next stated in the Despatch, that “it is also to be regretted that the timber for constructing huts was not sent to the island till the end of February. 5. My letter to the Government recommending the erection of these huts was dated the 9th of February, in consequence of a report then received from Mr. Finlay, announcing the general prevalence of disease. These huts were not applied for sooner, for the obvious reason that the island was in quarantine, and that the amount of communication necessary for landing such a quantity of stores was highly dangerous to the public health. When, however, the sufferings of the immigrants became so great it was necessary to relieve them at all hazards; and then no time was lost in preparing and dispatching forthwith the timber and other materials necessary for building the huts; the only delay having been, in conse- quence of a difficulty experienced in landing the first portion of them, from the state of the weather, which frequently renders it altogether impossible to communicate with Flat or Gabriel Islands. - 6. The Secretary of State has inferred, from the words used in my report, that it was not until the end of February that the supplies of extra articles of food were sent down; this was far from being the case. The requisitions for these supplies commenced in the end of January, and were continued throughout, at intervals of only three or four days; their dates, for the months of February and March, being those given in the margin. These requisitions were for : port wine, brandy, rum, sago, sugar, preserved soup, preserved meat, lime-juice, potatoes, potherbs, onions, fowls, young goats for killing, milch goats for milk, cabin biscuits, Madagascar rice, extra clothing, salt fish, in extra quantities; and these articles were always dispatched without delay, although their being landed was, on one or two occasions, impeded by the state of the weather. - 7. In answer to the queries as to the supervision of what was going on at Gabriel Island, I have to state, that I received reports from Mr. Finlay, at intervals of about five days, which was a frequency of communication as great as could be ventured on, with regard to the island being in quarantine, and to the great danger of communication with it. All Mr. Finlay's reports were immediately sent to the Government as soon as they were received, so that Government was kept fully informed as to what was going on at Gabriel Island. 8. No application was ever made from the island for either huts or additional medical assistance; they were sent without having been asked for. No European surgeon could be obtained except a military one, and for a very obvious reason, viz., that no medical prac- titioner could reasonably be expected to abandon, and permanently injure, his practice for the sake of one or, perhaps, two months' employment under Government, the remuneration for which would amount to only a small part of the loss he would sustain by the permanent injury done to his practice; to say nothing of his having himself to endure the greatest possible hardships, misery and personal danger. It is, therefore, not to be wondered at that no one could be found for such a service in a small colony, where the medical men are necessarily few, and all of them employed, 9. When the amount of disease at Gabriel Island became so great, the Major-general commanding the troops consented to a military medical officer volunteering for this service," and being placed in quarantine, although the result proved that he could ill be spared from his - proper WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 173. proper sphere of duty, for when the epidemic cholera broke out in the Colony in March the joss of Mr. Finnimore's services was keenly felt by the garrison, the troops having suffered severely, and the number of medical ºfficers being insufficient; because Mr. Finnimore, being in quarantine, could not be recalled for the performance of his proper duties when urgently wanted. - I have, &c. - To the Honourable - (signed) Geo. Clerihew, M.D., - The Colonial Secretary, - Chief Medical Officer. &c. &c. &c. . . . . . . — No. 3. — (No. 22.) - - Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Higginson to the Right Honourable - H. Labouchere, M.P. Mauritius, 28 January 1857. - - - - (Received 20 March 1857.) Sir (Answered, No. 335, 6 May 1857, page 274.) * I BEG leave to transmit herewith, copies of a letter and resolutions adopted by the Chamber of Agriculture, presented to me by a deputation from that body, and of my reply. - - 2. The usual supply of Indian labour, on which the planters have heretofore relied, having been so abruptly and unexpectedly stopped, with some uncertainty as to the time when the prohibition against it may he withdrawn. The Chamber has been turning its attention to the practicability of finding other unobjec- tionable sources of supply, and I trust that it may be in the power of Her Majesty's Government to promote the views of the Colony in this respect. For if the prohibition should not be removed, and no other labour market be opened adequate to the agricultural necessities of Mauritius, it needs no seer to predict the ruinous consequences that will inevitably ensue. 3. The result of the limited experiment that has been made here of Chinese, as agricultural labourers, has not been successful, but there seems reason to believe that this arose from the inferior description of men introduced chiefly from Penang and Singapore, whose previous habits and pursuits ill fitted them for working on sugar plantations; and the measure of success which has attended the similar experiment undertaken on a more careful and better organised system in some of the West Indian Colonies, would appear to confirm this opinion. - 4. I am aware of no obstacle to the introduction of Chinese immigrants into Mauritius, provided they be legally and regularly imported, and to be so certified by the British Consul or agent at the port of shipment; but the im- possibility hitherto experienced of procuring the proportion of Chinese females to males, required on our Indian immigration (supposing this to be insisted on), will always form a formidable impediment to the introduction of labourers from that country. Chinese occasionally come to the island as traders, or are brought as free passengers, of whom there are at present about 3,000 engaged almost entirely as mechanics, or in petty trading. These, from their knowledge of the popular language, and of the prospects offered by the Colony, might facilitate the introduction and settlement of their fellow countrymen; but as men so introduced have not been considered emigrants, quoad engagements for three years, allowed in the case of labourers introduced under the regulations prescribed for the government of immigration, contracts of service entered into by them are limited to one year's duration, and this operates as a check to the evasion of the aforesaid regulations, for employers cannot afford upon a one year's engage- ment to reimburse to shippers the expense of passage, &c. 5. I am informed that it is the intention of the Chamber to address a memo- rial to Her Majesty's Government, developing their views more at large, and praying that measures may be taken to promote a wholesome system of immi- gration from China to Mauritius. I apprehend that there will be little difference in the views of the Chamber and the Legislative Council on this question, which shall be brought under the consideration of the latter in due course. - 6. Siam is also looked to as a country from whence considerable numbers of O. 13. free. MAURIT] {jS. * -ºº-ººse No. 3. Governor Higginson to Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M.P., 28 January 1857. En Er tº '*'osure O . I 74 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. *a-me Encl. 1, in No. 3. free immigrants, women as well as men, can be procured. I am unable to form an opinion of the feasibility of this latter scheme, having a very imperfect know- ledge of that country or of its resources. The President of the Chamber was desirous that an agent should be deputed to Bangkok, to endeavour to procure authentic information on the subject; but I did not consider myself at liberty to authorise such a proceeding, until the sanction of Her Majesty's Government had been previously obtained. If, however, the intelligence received by the Chamber should be corroborated by the more reliable information of which Her Majesty's Government may be in possession, the means by which it is pro- posed to prosecute further inquiry, should they appear to you unobjectionable, might with advantage be adopted. 7. At the present time alarm and anxiety prevail amongst planters, from an apprehended deficiency of labour; and although immigrants from India are preferred to all others, the dominant opinion now is (ascribable in part, no doubt, to the recent proceedings of that Government), that the industrial prosperity of the Colony should not remain entirely dependent on this one source of supply. I have, &c. (signed) J. M. Higginson. Enclosure 1, in No. 3. To His Excellency J. M. Higginson, C. B., Governor of Mauritius. Sir, Port Louis, 19 January 1857. 1. WE have been requested by the Chamber of Agriculture to wait upon your excellency with the annexed resolutions come to at its meeting of the 17th instant, and to beg your prompt and favourable consideration of them. 2. The urgency of the need which prompts the chamber to solicit your excellency to adopt immediate measures, calculated to maintain an adequate supply of labour by promoting the accession, under proper regulations, of emigrants from other countries now that the natives of India are forcibly prevented from following their inclination to seek employment here, is too well known to your Excellency for it being necessary for us to do more than refer to it. 3. The Chamber prays your Excellency should it, on a re-examination of the existing law, be found necessary to introduce an Ordinance extending the faculty of lengthened engagements to voluntary contracts with emigrants from any country legally introduced, and authorising the payment of a premium on the introduction of all emigrants legally introduced from countries where there is no empowered agent of the Mauritius Government, to assemble such emigrants, and charter ships for their conveyance; or perhaps your Excellency might at once name an agent for Chinese emigration. 4. In support and explanation of their prayer, the Chamber would refer to the regula- tions and practice here, before the agencies in India were established, and to the practice and regulations adopted at Trinidad and Demerara to promote emigration from China. 5. From general report of the state of that country, and from particular information recently supplied to the Chamber from different independent and trustworthy sources, it appears that any required number of robust and industrous agricultural labourers would eagerly come forward from thence - 1st. If they had the means of doing so put within their reach. 2d. If they could contract an engagement for three or five years at a satisfying rate of wages, which is an assurance and encouragement which they naturally desire before embarking for a distant country. 6. It further appears that Chinese are in the habit of finding their own way, in great numbers, to Singapore in search of work; but that they do so unaccompanied by females; that, however, there would be no difficulty, as soon as proper arrangements can be made, in introducing any proportion of females from China direct. It is from Singapore, owing to the season of the monsoons, that alone any introduction of Chinese labourers to aid in saving next crop can be expected; but the Chamber believes that neither your Excellency nor the Right Honourable the Secretary of State would object to a certain number of these men being received, though the doing so might constitute an exception to the desirable proportion of the sexes, to meet an emergency so serious and unexpected. 7. It remains for us only to convey to your Excellency the unanimous confidence of the Chamber in your power and disposition to open this resource which, though it would at any time WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS, 175 time have been as useful as it is legitimate, seems now the only means of averting the total ruin which the measures of the India Government, if persevered in even for a short time, must otherwise bring upon the Colony. tº. - - We have, &c. (signed t C.W. Wiehé, Vice Presiden, Chamber of Agriculture. (signed) G. Fropier, Secretary to the Chamber, Enclosure 2, in No. 3. ResoluTIONS come to at a Meeting of the Chamber of Agriculture held on the 17th January 1857. THE Chamber of Agriculture, acknowledging on the subject of immigration the never-failing solicitude of His Excellency the Governor, who has given repeated proofs that he is fully aware that the prosperity of Mauritius depends upon the introduction of a number of labourers equal to the requirements of its cultivation: - l{esolved,— 1. That His Excellency be requested to authorise, under proper regulations, the intro- duction of Chinese labourers into Mauritius. r 2. That the immigrants so introduced be allowed to contract engagements for three or five years, for otherwise the expense of introduction would fall too heavily upon the employer. • ‘ - - 3. That His Excellency be pleased to allow out of the funds voted for immigration a premium of * /. per head for the labourers introduced from Singapore, and * l. per head for those from China direct. Enclosure 3, in No. 3. (No. 47.) º Colonial Secretary's Office, Sir, 24th January 1857. 1 AM directed by his Excellency the Governor to acknowledge receipt of a memorial, dated 19th instant, and of certain resolutions, relative to the introduction of Chinese labourers, which were placed in his hands by a deputation of the Chamber of Agriculture. 2. His Excellency expressed fully and frankly to the gentlemen composing the deputation the views which he entertained on the question propounded by the Chamber, explained the insurmountable obstacles to the immediate execution of some of the measures recommended, and assured them that, being sensible of the paramount importance of providing a supply of labour adequate to the necessities of the Colony, he was prepared to co-operate cordially with the Chamber in the promotion of this momentous object, as far as his instructiºns and the knowledge he has of the views entertained by Her Majesty's Government would authorise. 3. At the present conjuncture the planters of Mauritius naturally look to other sources of labour, lest that of India should unhappily fail them ; and it appears to his Excellency that, until the sanction of Her Majesty’s Government can be received to any new schemes of immigration that may be devised, we may anticipate that sanction, by prosecuting inquiries as to the extent and character of the supply of labour likely to be derived from other countries within our reach. 4. Fortunately our communication with England is now so much accelerated that the delay involved in a reference will be comparatively short, and his Excellency will take the earliest opportunity of bringing the proposals of the Chamber under the early consideration of the Secretary of State. His Excellency will, at the same time, solicit the sanction of the Secretary of State, if this course should be deemed expedient, to an agent being employed for collecting such authentic information as would enable the Government to organise a wholesome system of immigration, from the straits of Malacca, China, or other country lying to the east of the Bay of Bengal, from whence it is expected that free immigrants, accustomed to the tillage of the soil, can be conveniently procured. 5. In regard to the extension of three years' engagements to all immigrants, legally introduced, under the regulations prescribed for such purpose, His Excellency apprehends no difficulty in being able at once to meet the wishes of the Chamber; and he takes this opportunity of pointing out that, in the only cases in which engagements of immigrants have been limited to one year, it was in consequence of those regulations not having been conformed to. - 6. His Excellency greatly regrets his inability, on this occasion, to go so far as the Chamber would desire; but, although, at first, disappointment may be experienced, the Chamber may, on reflection, concur with His Excellency that it is wiser, in the interests of immigration itself, not to take any course that is likely to be objected to by the Home Government, and might indispose it to receive favourably the applications for the O. 13. A A * further MAURITIUS. ºpes ºn Encl. 2, in No. 3, * Sic, in orig. Encl. 3, in No. 3. 176 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. tºmºsºmsº Encl. 4, in No. 3. No. Governor Higginson 4. to the Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M.P. 20 February 1857. * ºl. • _T ~ further and more comprehensive.concessions, which a prolonged suspension of Indian immi- gration would call for; and the very small immediate addition to the supply of labour promised from Singapore is, after all, but a trifling sacrifice. Moreover, Singapore being a part of the possessions of the Government of India, the prohibition against immigration may be thereto extended, which might render impracticable the fulfilment of the engagement proposed to the Chamber, and the acceptance of it, under the circumstances, of questionable. utility. - I have, &c. James Currie, Esq., (signed) J. Dowland, President of the Chamber of Agriculture. Acting Colonial Secretary. Enclosure 4, in No. 3. (No. 17.) Sir, - General Police Office, 27 January 1857. IN reply to your communication of the 26th instant (No. 50), I have the honour to report, for the information of His Excellency the Governor, that the number of Chinese now resident in the Colony is about (3,000) three thousand. … - 2. The greatest part of these people are employed in shops, and many hold licenses of the first class; some are employed as joiners, cabinet makers, butchers, basket makers, hawkers of fish, and shoemakers. In the rural districts a certain number of Chinese will be found earning a livelihood as petty farmers, cultivating plots of ground and rearing poultry, &c.; generally speaking, these people are a laborious, intelligent, and well-behaved portion of the community, and it is very rare indeed to find Chinese contravening the laws. I have, &c. - (signed) J. M. Rennards, To the Honourable the w Acting Superintendent of Police. Colonial Secretary, &c. &c. &c. - — No. 4. — (No. 37.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Higginson to the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. - tº Mauritius, 20 February 1857. Sir, s (Received, 11 April 1857.) I BEG leave, in continuation of my Despatch, No. 1, of 12th January last, to transmit herewith a copy of a further communication, with its annexures, which I have caused to be addressed to the Secretary to the Government of India, upon the subject of the suspension of immigration, 2. I also enclose an Ordinance which has been passed by the Legislative Council and myself, for amending the laws of quarantine, together with a draft of the proposed quarantine regulations, which have received the approval of the Governor in Executive Council, and which will be promulgated whenever the Ordinance shall come into operation. 3. The accompanying report by the Procureur General, will explain the principle of this law, and the points on which it differs from those which it supersedes. I do not for the present solicit Her Majesty's confirmation of the Ordinance, because it is not improbable that it may be found expedient here- after to modify some of its provisions, in case they should be objected to by the Government of India; but I shall not hesitate to anticipate your sanction to this Ordinance, by giving effect to it either in its present or amended form, whenever the exceptions taken to our legislation on this head, by the Government of India, shall be conciliated. 4. The period of 21 days’ quarantine, proposed for cholera by the regulations, may seem, both to Her Majesty’s Government and to that of India, unneces- sarily prolonged, as it does to myself; but as I have stated on many previous occasions, alarm for the introduction of this disease continues so intense, that neither the Council nor the public would consent to any further limitation, and, indeed, both the chief medical officer and the pratique officer, were of opinion . . . 4. * * that WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 177 that a shorter quarantine could not be fixed without endangering the public ealth. 4. hº It will be observed from the enclosed letter, that the Council of Govern- ment has resolved to dispense with the services of a military detachment on Flat Island, owing chiefly to the difficulty experienced in satisfying the solici- tude of the Major-general Commanding, for the due protection of the troops (who would necessarily be placed in close proximity to the infected lazaret) from disease; and also to a consideration of the advantages afforded to those in qua- rantine, by the additional space thus rendered available. . This change will likewise greatly diminish the heavy expense proposed to be incurred at Flat Island, by rendering unnecessary the stockading and costly barrack accommo- dation indispensable for the military ; and I do not myself see any reason why an effective guard should not be maintained by a body of police, whom it is pro- posed to substitute, although the additional security promised by military disci- pline would have been preferred, had it been found reconcilable with other considerations of no less importance. I have, &c. (signed) J. M. Higginson. Enclosure 1, in No. 4. Colonial Secretary’s Office, Mauritius, Sir, 14 February 1857. e IN continuation of my letter of 6th January, I have now the honour, by direction of his Excellency the Governor of Mauritius, to transmit to you, for the information of the Right Honourable the Governor General of India in Council, six copies of an Ordinance which has been passed by the Governor and Legislative Council of this Colony, entitled, “An Ordinance to amend the Laws concerning Quarantine,” together with the regulations framed under the authority of its provisions. These documents will afford to his Lordship in Council the information required by your letter of 31st October last, respecting the rules by which quarantine is henceforward to be governed, and it is hoped that they will satisfy his Lordship in Council that these rules do not bear with unnecessary or peculiar hardship on Indian immigrants, but that the due protection of their health and lives, as well as of the vessels in which they are conveyed, has been adequately kept in view in remodelling the provisions of the law. 2. In accomplishing the undertaking, it has been the object of the Government of Mau- ritius to endeavour to reconcile the views expressed by his Lordship in Council with the adoption of such precautions for the safety of the public health as would allay the appre- hensions of a community stedfastly believing in the doctrine of contagion, and confidently relying on the efficacy of quarantine to prevent the introduction of epidemic disease. But should it appear to his Lordship in Council that, for the adequate protection of the immi- grants, a further modification of any of these rules is indispensable, a representation to this effect will receive immediate and careful consideration. - 3. Subsequently to the date of my last communication certain changes have been deemed advisable in the arrangements therein, reported as in course of progress at Flat Island. First. It has been ordered, that, pending a final decision as to the site of the cholera lazaret, palisade huts and wooden houses sufficient for all purposes of a complete provisional quarantine station should be substituted for the stone buildings previously contemplated. Secondly. It is proposed to construct the jetty at a different point on the shore. The reasons for this change, and a description of the character of the work itself, will be found in the annexed report of the acting surveyor-general. - Thirdly. It is intended to dispense with the services of a military guard, and it will thus no longer be necessary, as under the original plan, to provide for preventing all communication between them and the immigrants (a measure deemed essential, if soldiers be employed on quarantine service), nor, consequently, to confine the immigrants within a comparatively limited space stockaded off from the rest of the island. The whole of its surface, therefore, save the small portion occupied by the lighthouse establishment, will be available for the use of the immigrants, and increased facilities afforded for entirely separating the healthy from the sick whenever it may be thought desirable; a measure which may prove highly con- ducive to the mitigation and ultimate extinction of disease. The freedom from confinement which will thus be ensured cannot fail, his Excellency conceives, to be most beneficial in both its moral and physical effects. Nor could such scope and range (or, indeed, the other sanitary arrangements of which the increased space will admit) be attained within the narrow limits of a stockade on the main land. On this ground alone, therefore, Flat Island offers advantages as a lazaret which could not be realised on the shores of Mauritius, while it has this further advantage over the excellent climate of the later, that its smaller surface is more immediately exposed on all sides to the renovating and invigorating influences of the sea breeze; indeed its salubrity is recognised beyond possibility of question, and experience has unequivocally vindicated the popular judgment on this point. O. l 3. B B 4. Such MAURITIUS * Encl. 1, in No. 4. 178. PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. amassass= Encl. 2, in No. 4. 4. Such being the advantages which it is proposed to secure to immigrants in quarantine on Flat Island, and such the endeavours which this Government is making to ensure their welfare and comfort, his Excellency would submit to the Right Honourable the Governor General in Council whether, in the interests of the immigrants themselves, the inconveniences arising from the detention of vessels in the roadstead of Port Louis for a few days (and this after a voyage, the duration of which is not more than one-third of that from Calcutta to the West Indies) on those very rare occasions when the state of the weather may prevent an immediate landing on Flat Island, are such as should counterbalance the peculiar sanitary advantages offered by that island; especially, too, as during such unavoidable detention the immigrants could be immediately supplied with whatever their necessities might require. 5. It may likewise be observed that a large portion of the sol of Flat Island is fertile and productive; and upon this point I enclose, by his Excellency's directions, the copy of a report from the director of the botanical garden. - - - 6. Should the information contained in the documents previously forwarded, and in those now transmitted, unhappily fail to remove the objections to Flat Island entertained by his Lordship in Council, it is the earnest wish of the Government and public of Mauritius, as suggested in my last communication, that an officer should be sent here by the Right. Honourable the Governor General to inspect the locality, clothed with discretionary authority, if he should be satisfied with its fitness for conversion into a lazaret, to accept it; or, if not so satisfied, determine on such other site as may be mutually agreed upon between the aforesaid officer and the Government of Mauritius. - 7. Sensible as the Right Honourable the Governor General of India in Council must be of the injury inflicted upon the agricultural and commercial interests of this Colony by the measure which he has deemed it his duty to adopt, his Lordship in Council will not, his Excellency feels assured, be indisposed to respond to his appeal for the early settlement of a question, upon the solution of which the future fortunes of Mauritius so critically depend. Delay will not only enhance the losses directly resulting to the Colony from the suspension of immigration, but it will aggravate the vexation and disappointment produced by that measure, as well among the Indians now in the island as among those bent on coming here, tending to unsettle their minds, to excite their distrust, and to augment the difficulties that may be anticipated in restoring the system to the mutually satisfactory footing on which it has previously rested. 8. Upon further considering the objects to be gained by deputing an officer from this Government to wait upon the Governor General of India in Council, it has been resolved to defer this measure until after an answer is received from his lordship in Council to the pro- posals which have been submitted; when, should the purport of that answer appear to call for the proceeding, or should it be desired by the Right Honourable the Governor General, an officer will be immediately dispatched on the mission. - 9. His Excellency, however, believes that the documentary statements which have been furnished will be found to contain all the information that can be required, and hopes that nothing calculated to shed light upon the subject under consideration has been omitted. I have, &c. (signed) J. Dowland, The Secretary to the Government of India. Colonial Secretary. P.S.—I transmit herewith, by his Excellency’s desire, a plan of Flat and Gabriel Islands, and the adjacent waters, drawn from an actual survey specially undertaken by order of his Excellency. Should this locality be accepted by the Indian Government as a proper site for a lazaret, it is intended to engrave this chart, and to furnish copies thereof to each of the presidential Governments for delivery to the masters of all vessels that may be engaged in carrying coolies. - - Enclosure 2, in No. 4. (No. 45.) Sir, - Surveyor General's Office, 22 January 1857. HIS Excellency the Governor having desired to receive a report on the fitness for occupation of the huts at present existing on Flat and Gabriel islands for the accommodation of immigrants, I have the honour to state that the buildings leferred to are of the following dimensions, viz.: length 25 feet, width 15 feet, height 12 feet; they are built of palisades, and thatched. On one side the slope of the roof is continued until it meets the ground, the other side is upright and about four feet in height. - 2. There are 18 of these huts on Flat Island, and 13 on Gabriel Island. They have all been recently strengthened and improved, and are at present quite weather proof. I con- sider them to be very healthy, fit, and convenient buildings for the occupation of immi- grants. One of the 13 huts on Gabriel Island is considerably larger than the rest, and is intended for an hospital, the remainder are calculated to accommodate 20 men each.º. I have, &c. The Honourable the Colonial Secretary, (signed) J. R. Mann, &c. &c. &c. Acting Surveyor General. west INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS, 179 Enclosure 3, in No. 4. . . ‘Royal Botanical Garden, Sir, 14 January 1857. 1. AgreBABLE to your wish I visited Flat Island on Friday last, and I have much plea- sure in being able to report favourably on the healthy appearance of the island, as well a the fertility of the soil. - 2. I found at present growing on the island large trees of the following kinds: cocoa-nut, bearing fruit; vacoua, or screw pine, bearing seeds; latania palms, bearing fruit; filao, or casurina trees, also bearing seeds. 3. I have no doubt but many other kinds of timber, as well as many kinds of tropical fruit trees, would grow well there when sheltered a little from the strong sea breeze. 4. I would recommend that, near the sea on the most exposed places, a wall of earth and stone, be built up, and planted on the top with plants of scoevola or veloutier blanc, a bush bearing white berries, growing plentiful on the island; this would give immediate shelter to the young trees that may be planted until they got established in the soil. I have already potted upwards of 300 casurina, or filao trees, for the purpose of being forwarded there. I have also potted 300 plants of another specie of filao, which I think will be very serviceable on the island; it grows even more rapidly than the other species, and throws up suckers from its roots in abundance; it makes excellent firewood, and there would be no fear of destroying it when once established, as when a plant is cut down the roots shoot up all around where the parent stood. I am also collecting a quantity of seeds of other kinds of trees to send there. In planting I would recommend cocoa-nut trees to be planted near the sea, farther back casurina or filao, and still farther back I have no doubt but mangoe and many other fruit trees would grow well. 5. I found on the island one or two pieces of ground enclosed as gardens, and the few kinds of vegetables left were looking well, considering that no care had been taken of them. If the gardens were enclosed, as mentioned above, I have no doubt but all kinds of vege- tables might be grown there in abundance; it would be advisable to sink a well in the garden, so as to have water on the spot. In the open ground such roots as yams, sweet potatoes, manioc, and even potatoes, could be grown in large quantities, as the land is generally excellent. ~. - I have, &c. To the Honourable the (signed) James Duncan. Colonial Secretary. Enclosure 4, in No. 4. PROCLAMATION. In the Name of Her Majesty VicToR1A, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Queen, &c, &c, &c. By his Excellency James Macaulay Higginson, Esq., Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the Island of Mauritius and its dependencies, &c. &c. &c. WHEREAs by Ordinance No. 3 of 1857, the Governor of Mauritius, in Executive Council, is empowered to make and publish regulations concerning quarantine as often as circum- stances may require: and whereas, it is necessary to make such regulations. In virtue, therefore, of the powers so vested in me by the aforesaid Ordinance, I do hereby proclaim and order as follows:— REGULATIONs. 1. When the health officer of Port Louis, and the surgeon superintendent of the quaran- tine station at Flat Island, respectively proceed towards any vessel for examination, they shall display in their boat a red ensign, which shall be a sigual to the vessel to heave to and allow such boat to approach or come alongside as shall be required. 2. The harbour master shall supply the said health officer and surgeon superintendent, and all authorised pilots, with a sufficient number of the flags required by the said Ordinance and by these regulations. 3. The said health officer and surgeon superintendent respectively after going on board the vessel, shall, in addition to the measures prescribed by the aforesaid Ordinance, inspect every person in the vessel. They may, if they think proper, call for inspection of the ship's books and papers; and they shall use every lawful means which to them seem expedient for ascertaining the sanitary condition of the vessel and persons therein. O. 13. # * B B 2 4. Persons MAURITIUS. Encl. 3, in No. 4. Encl. 4, in No. 4. 18O PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. 4. Persons landed at either of the quarantine stations shall perform quarantine for the sºmº-º-º-º: periods following:— 1st. For cholera, 21 days from the death or perfect recovery of the person last affected. - 2d. Small-pox, 21 days from the death or perſect desquamation or recovery of the person last affected. 3d. Typhus and yellow fever and other contagious or infectious diseases, 15 days from the death or perfect recovery of the person last affected, When the last death, recovery, or desquamation occurred any time before quarantine was ordered, such time shall be taken into account in calculating the above periods. 5. Vessels, after landing their immigrants or any of their passengers and crew at either of the quarantine stations, shall perform quarantine for the periods respectively specified in the preceding section; and if any fresh case shall occur before the vessel is admitted to pratique, the said periods shall be calculated from the landing, at the proper quarantine station, of the person affected, or from his death, desºluamation, or recovery, as the case may be. 6. Every vessel performing quarantine in the roadstead of Port Louis shall, from sunset to sunrise, exhibit a light at each fore-yard arm. , And all guard-boats, when on duty in the said roadstead, shall from sunrise to sunset display a yellow flag, and from sunset to sunrise a light at bow and stern. - 7. Throughout the whole time during which quarantine is ordered to be performed, a copy of the aforesaid Ordinance, and of this and any other regulations which shall have been proclaimed in virtue thereof, shall be placed in a conspicuous part of the station or vessel in quarantine, as the case may be, and shall be accessible to all persons so in quarantine. 8. No objects except letters and coins shall (without written authority of the Colonial Secretary or chief medical officer) be passed out of any place or vessel in 'quarantine; and every object which may be passed out thereof shall, before being forwarded to its destina- tion, be disinfected in such manner as the health officer or surgeon superintendent, as the case may be, shall direct. 9. All letters or parcels for persons in quarantine shall be sent to the port-office, whence they shall be forwarded by the earliest opportunity. 10. Whenever any articles shall be taken by land to the station at Cannonier Point when in quarantine, the person or persons in charge of such articles shall leave them in the shed at the centre of the neutral ground, and shall then retire to the outward boundary of such neutral ground. After he shall have reached such boundary, the articles shall be taken into the quarantine station by some person or persons thereto attached, who shall, if required, leave a written acknowledgment shall (after being duly disinfected) be delivered by one of the military or police on duty to the chief person sent in charge of the articles as aforesaid. 11. Whenever any articles shall be taken to any vessel or to the station at Flat Island, or by sea to the station at Cannonier Point, when in quarantine respectively, they shall be forwarded in one or more boats furnished by the harbour master, bearing a yellow flag, and shall be accompanied by an officer of the port department. 12. Such boats, when sent to either of the quarantine stations, shall lay off at the distance of 200 yards from the landing-place thereat, and shall tranship the articles into one or more boats belonging to the station. If the weather does not permit such transhipment, and it is necessary to forward the articles, they shall be landed at the quarantine station in the boat or boats conveying them, and the military or police authorities at the station shall take proper precautions for preventing any person in quarantine from approaching the landing party. 13. Articles shall be conveyed to a vessel in quarantine in the following manner:—One of the vessel's boats shall be moored as nearly as may be 200 yards therefrom, and any persons who may have been in such boat shall return to the vessel. ... After they have done so, the boat containing the articles sent shall approach the said vessel's boat, into which the articles shall be transhipped. It shall then retire, and any persons from the vessel may pro- ceed to remove the said articles or boat containing the same ; care being taken that there shall be at least 200 yards between the persons so coming from the vessel and the boat from shore. - 14. No person shall be permitted at any time to land on either of the quarantine stations without a written order from the Colonial Secretary or harbour master. Offenders shall be liable to the fines hereinafter specified; and also to prosecution for trespass. 15. The surgeon-superintendent of Flat Island may allow any persons performing quaran- tine there to go to such parts of the said island, or of Gabriel Island, for the purpose of exercise or to bathe at such places in the sea surrounding the same as he may appoint respectively, and the surgeon-superintendent at Cannonier Point may allow any persons performing quarantine there to bathe at such places in the sea adjoining the same as he may appoint, provided that the persons so engaged respectively shall always be placed under a sufficient guard. I6. The . WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 181 16. The power conferred by the foresaid Ordinance to fire upon persons attempting to escape from quarantine shall only be exercised under the following limits, viz.:- 1. In attempts to escape from vessels in quarantine, after the person shall have left the vessel. . 2. In attempts to escape from Cannonier Point, after the person shall have crossed the outer line of palisades when the attempt is made by land, and after he shall have left the beach from the seaward side of the station, when the attempt is made bv sea. 3. In attempts to escape from Flat Island, or from Gabriel Island, in the case of persons allowed to go there as before mentioned, after the person shall have left the shore of such island. 17. All persons transgressing any of the foregoing rules, shall for each offence be liable to a fine not exceeding 50 (., and to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months cumulatively or separately. - - 18. The present regulations shall take effect from Given at Government House, , this day of I 85 By command, Colonial Secretary. —- No. 5. — (No. 1 9.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Higginson to the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. - - Mauritius, 3 July 1857. f (Received, 21 August 1857.) Sir, (Answered, No 24, 6 September 1857, page 282.) REFERRING to previous correspondence relating to the suspension of immigra- tion from India to Mauritius, I now beg leave to transmit for your information, a copy of a communication from that Government, announcing that the prohi- bition had been withdrawn; and a ship has subsequently arrived here with coolies from Madras. - 2. I shall hereafter forward a copy of the reply which I propose should be made to this communication. - - I have, &c. (signed) J. M. Higginson. Enclosure in No. 5. (Home Department.) * From Cecil Beadon, Esq., Secretary to the Government of lndia, to the Honourable J. Dowland, Esq., Acting Colonial Secretary, Mauritius, dated 27 April 1857. Sir, - & - 1. I AM directed by the right Honourable the Governor General of India in Council to acknowledge the receipt of your two letters, one of the 6th of January, the other of the 14th of February, replying to the Despatches from the Government of India which announced the suspension of emigration to the Colony, and explained the reasons of the measure. Your letter of the 14th February was not received here until the 4th instant. 2. Your letter of the 6th of January recounts the proceedings of the Colonial Government in the case of the emigrants brought by the ships “Futteh Mobaruck” and “Hyderee,” defending or excusing the steps taken, and correcting some inaccuracies into which the Government of India has been led by want of complete information. It also proposes certain measures by which it is hoped that the objections raised by the Government of India to Flat Island as a quarantine station may be removed, and the prohibition of further emigration to the colony withdrawn. 3. Upon the first of these heads it is acknowledged that two errors were committed; the reliance on tents for shelter, and the nomination of Dr. Finlay as surgeon superintendent. A third error is subsequently admitted to have been made by the chief medical officer in not sending to the lazaretto, when the outbreak of disease was declared, a larger supply of extra diet and medical comforts. But it is contended fhat these errors do not show either indif- ference or neglect. 4. It would profit little to discuss now the source from which these errors sprang, That the shelter provided was inadequate, the medical officers incompetent, and the medical com- forts and diet insufficient, is admitted. Notwithstanding what is stated of unusual incle- mency of weather, of the doctor's diploma and qualifications, and of the spirit in which the instructions to the chief medical officer were given and executed, a close examination of the O. 13. B B 3 letter MAURITIUS. *=s* No. 5. Governor Higginson to the Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M.P. 3 July 1857. En Encl. in No. 5. 182 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. letter under consideration, and of the papers accompanying it, has convinced the Governor — General in Council that these errors might have been avoided by due care and considera- * tion; that is, by such care and considerati ºn, forethought, and preparation as might reasonably be looked for in the case of a colony eager to receive immigrants, and expecting to receive them ; but re-olved, in the event of their arriving with sickness amongst them, to subject them to a rigorous quarantine on a spot which, then at least, was considered to be “ of extreme inaccessibility.” That the consequences of the errors were fearfully aggravated for want of timely remedy, and even the knowledge of them, is not contested. '* 5. The Governor General in Council then finds in this letter no reason to believe that the opinion expressed by the Government of India upon the proceedings which it was called upon to review, is not substantially just; but he is very glad to acknowledge that the information now received shows that no blame is attributable to the protector of immigrants. It appears that until the sufferers were landed at Port Louis, he was without power to protect them, and that there has been no dereliction of duty on his part. I am desired, therefore, to express the regret of the Government of India that any neglect was imputed to him, and his confidence in the zeal and attention with which his duties have been discharged. 6. Stress is laid upon the fact that a description of Flat Island published anonymously in the Mauritius newspapers, has been cited by the Government of India, and it is said to be an untrue description. Undoubtedly in respect of the productive powers of the soil of the island, the report of the comunittee of the Legislative Council, now furnished by the Colonial Government contradicts that description, and is gladly accepted by the Government of India in place of it; but in respect of a sufficient supply of a good water, which is far more important, the anonymous account is confirmed by the Committee, and in respect of diffi- culty of access, although the Committee disbelieve that access has ever been impossible during 81 days, and deny that ships and boats have been wrecked on the island to the ex- tent described; it still stands on record that, at the time when the letter of the Government of India was written, the opinions of the highest authorities of the colony, civil and naval, went very far to support the character given to the shores of Flat Island, by the anonymous Writer. 7. The Governor General in Council, does not consider it necessary to say more upon the correspondence which has already passed. The practical questions which now call fºr con- sideration, are these :— First. Can access to Flat Island be improved to such a degree, and can the occasion upon which a landing is dangerous be reduced in such rare and exceptional instances as shall make the place fit to be a quarantine station. Second. Can provision be made for the well-being of the coolies who may be detained upon Flat Island whilst communication with it is cut off. - Third. Can the Colonial Government provide for the safety and well being of emigrants and emigrant ships, when, for the same reason, the coolies cannot be disembarked. 8. Upon this last quèstion, the Governor-General in Council, is glad to say that the information conveyed by your letter of the 14th February is, if he rightly understands it, satisfactory. It appears that by an Ordinance passed in February last, to aunend the laws concerning quarantine, it is provided that, in case a vessel shall be unable from stress of weather to proceed to the quarantine station or to land her immigrants there, she will be allowed to anchor and remain in the roadstead of Port Louis for such a limited time as cir- cumstances may render necessary. . It further appears in the report of the Committee of the Legislative Council, that the clear understanding of this Ordinance is, that in no case shall a ship be compelled to proceed to sea for the purpose of performing quarantine under sail. Assuming that this regulation so understood, is fully carried out and that in every case the place of anchorage assigned to the ship, is such that she may ride out the bad weather without being forced to sea for her own safety; His Lordship in Council, is willing to accept this part of the proposal. 9. With respect to facilitating the access to Flat Island, it appears probable that the works which are described in the letter of the 14th of February, may so diminish the difficulty of landing, as to reduce the time during which a vessel will be detained in Port Louis roads, waiting for an opportunity to land, to a space that would be no serious hardship. His Lord- ship in Council, presumes that all the works suggested in these papers, the improvement of the Pass Channel, the clearing of the beach, and the erection of the pier in the Pallissades Bay, the placing of mooring and warping buoys, and the establishment of boats of the station, with their crews, more suitable for landing in a surf than a ship's boats will be efficiently carried out. If this be done without any delay, and if from this time forward safe anchorage in the roadstead of Port Louis is in all weathers available to emigrant ships in qua- rantine, His Lordship in Council is not disposed to press farther at present, the demand for a cholera lazaretto on the mainland, and is willing to give a trial to the arrangements pro- posed by the Colonial Government. 10. It is not thought necessary that, as a preliminary measure, the Government of India should avail itself of the offer of the Colonial Government to receive an officer to be sent from India to examine that island, with the authority to accept or refuse it as a quarantine station at his discretion. The objects which the Government of India has in view cannot fail to be understood by the Government of Mauritius; it is required that the emigrants from India shall be henceforward safe from a recurrence of the miseries suffered by them a year ago, so far as safety can be ensured by human foresight and means; that at least they shall not suffer from want of shelter, of competent medical care, or of medical comforts; and that if west INDIA colonies AND MAURITIUS. 183 t * if they cannot be received on shore without any delay at all, this evil shall in no case be aggravated to them by their being driven out to sea. - . MAURITIUS. gººm- The Government of Mauritius is of opinion that these objects can be attained without . . changing the site of the cholera lazaretto, and in deference to this opinion earnestly urged, the Governor General in Council is willing that, as an experiment, the lazaretto should remain on Flat Island. But the Colonial Government is best able to determine how these objects shall be accomplished; and the mission of an officer from India, whose judgment and report would be based upon a very cursory examination of the island, and of its various conditions of sea and weather would give little security to this Government, whilst it would tend to relieve the authorities in Mauritius of responsibility which belongs to them alone... . 11. The security held by the Government of Jndia for the complete accomplishment of the objects which it has in view, and which it is determined to obtain, is that to which it has already had recourse. If, notwithstanding, the opinions confidently given by the Colonial Government, and in spite of all precautions now to be taken, the landing of coolies on Flat * , 2 s | p º ſº y tº . º *-e g * ; º * * - Island should be found to be a work of so much difficulty as either to ini peril their lives in & gº y . * . e y ... • * © - # the operation, or to render their detention on board of ship in sickness dangerously p 2. º & te protracted, or if the shelter now offered to emigrant ships in quarantine should not be such, as to preclude the necessity, in any circumstances whatever, of their being forced to sea in bad weather, the Government of India will consider itself bound at once to stop emigration to the Mauritius, without further notice, until these evils shall have been remedied by other and effectual means. 12. In respect to the preparations to be made at the lazaretto itself, the Governor-General" in Council will not suppose that any short comings in regard to them will be allowed to recur. The letters under consideration show that shelter has already been provided, and it is confidently stated that the arrangements made for medical superintendence will prove efficient. To maintain on the spot at all times an adequate supply of stores and appliances is altogether within the power of the Colonial Government. On this head, therefore, the Government of India is satisfied. - - 13. The Governor General in Council has therefore resolved that the prohibition to the emigration of coolies to Mauritius shall now be withdrawn. In taking this step at once, the Government of India is doubtless acting in some degree upon trust. But his Lordship in Council will not suppose that his just expectations will be disappointed, or that any of the precautionary measures which have been suggested by the Government of Mauritius will not be carried forward with earnestness and expedition. The acting Surveyor General of the colony specified five months as the time within which the pier at the Pallisades, one of the chief works to be undertaken, will be completed. 14. It is necessary, however, in any circumstances, that some more sure and direct means of information, as to the condition of Indian emigrants placed in quarantine should be available to the Government of India. The protector of immigrants has at present no power to deal with the coolies until they have been released from quarantine. But there is apparently no reason why he should not receive reports of the condition of each body of immigrants who are landed, either in sickness or in apprehension of sickness; and his Lordship in Council would suggest that these reports should be addressed to the protector directly by the medical officer in charge of the lazaretto. They should be made for each day, even though they may not be transmitted daily. 15. With reference to the remarks contained in the 31st and following paragraphs of your letter of 6th of January, relative to the condition of the natives of India now residing in the Colony, I am directed to observe that the treatment and well being of the coolies, once landed and able to earn their livelihood, has never been in question, and has no bearing upon the manner in which they have been dealt with as new comers, from whom infection of cholera was to be apprehended. The Governor-General in Council gladly acknowledges that all that is knºwn of the condition of the Indian labourers in Mauritius leads to the belief that they have nothing to complain of when once they have been received is working members of the community. - I have, &c. (signed) Cecil Beddon, Fort William, 27 April 1857. Secretary to the Government of India. — No. 6. — (No. 140.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Higginson to the Right Honourable \- H. Labouchere, M. P. Mauritius, 2 August 1857. Sir, (Received, 25 September 1857.) I BEG leave to forward herewith, for your consideration, a copy of a letter with its enclosure, addressed to me by Commodore Trotter, lately commanding the Cape of Good Hope squadron, intimating that he had boarded the English barque “Joker” in Boyanna Bay (Madagascar); and that from the evidence O. : 3. B B 4 • * * * taken No. 6. Governor Higginson to the Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M.P. 2 August 1857. En ~ clos Ul 1'G' ~~~ l ſº `--~ *~~ *- 184 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. taken by him he was of opinion that many, if not the whole, of the so-called *— emigrant labourers that he found on board had been slaves up to the moment of their embarkation. - - 9 * 2. Some time subsequently a statement, copy of which is annexed and believed sº- to be authentic, appeared in the local journals, transcribed from a reunion news- aper, to the effect that these same labourers had taken advantage of the master of the “Joker’s’ absence on shore to revolt, murdering his son and the greater part of the crew, and plundering the vessel. g & - - . ' 3. Captain Asp, the master, had on a previous occasion introduced, under the prescribed regulations, emigrants from the coast of Madagascar, all of whom, on the usual examination on their arrival by the protector of emigrants, had declared themselves to have been perfectly free men, and that they had embarked for Mauritius voluntarily, and without any coercion whatever. He then obtained. a fresh license, under date the 20th August 1856, and issued previously to the receipt of your despatch suspending further immigration from Madagascar; and proceeded to Boyanna Bay in search of a further supply of labourers. 4. The massacre committed by the people shipped appears to me to strongly corroborate the view taken by Commodore Trotter of the illegal manner in which they were obtained. - 3. 5. I annex copy of a report from the Procureur and Advocate-General, with Eacº. copy of the bond referred to, suggesting the measures to be taken in the event --tº” of Captain Asp returning to this port, and in accordance with which the __ ! --~~ necessary investigation into the circumstances attending the shipment of these labourers shall be ordered, with a view to the institution of a criminal prosecu- tion, if it should be deemed advisable; but I apprehend considerable difficulty in obtaining a conviction. 6. I have not reported these unfortunate proceedings sooner, being in expec- tation of Captain Asp's arrival; but, not learning anything further of him or his vessel, I have thought it right not to longer defer making this communication. I have, &c. (signed) J. M. Higginson. Encl. 1, in No. 6. - Enclosure 1, in No. 6. Her Majesty's ship “Castor,” in Boyanna Bay, Sir, (Bali) Madagascar, 18 February 1857. I HAVE the honour to eall your Excellency’s attention to the accompanying copy of a FacAosº certificate which I have entered in the log of the English barque “Joker,” of Seychelles, by sº- which vessel I transmit this. - - _. --~~ I have, &c. To His Excellency (signed) . H. D. Trotter, J. M. Higginson, Esq., C.B., Governor of Mauritius, Commodore. &e. &c. &c. - Sub-Enclosure in Enclosure 1. This is to certify that I this day boarded the English barque “Joker,” Mr. Charles Asp, master, and caused to be examined several of the labourers, entered as such in Madagascar, for Mauritius, and that I have no doubt many of the labourers, if not the whole, now on board (amounting to 30 men and 10 women) have been slaves up to the very moment of their embarkation. I consider this contrary to the spirit of the Act of the 5th Geo. 4th, cap. 113, and the Act of the 6th and 7th Vict., cap. 98; but as the Government of Mauritius will have an oppor- tunity of availing themselves of the evidence, I allow the vessel to proceed to her destination, protesting against the master obtaining other labourers under similar circumstances. - (signed) H. D. Trotter, Commodore. Dated n Boyanna Bay, Madagascar, 18 February 1858. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 185 Enclosure 2, in No. 6. We extract from the “Moniteur de la Reunion” the following passage, which contains a valuable detailed account of the massacre of the “Joker's ’’ crew by the Sakalaves. NEARLY a month ago a rumour was spread at La Reunion, according to which a portion of the crew of the “Joker,” an English vessel, moored in March last, in the Bay of Baly, had been butchered by the Sakalaves, and that the doomed vessel, given up to be plundered for several days, had been run aground on rocks. 2. Notwithstanding the painful and universal sensation produced in this colony by this sad intelligence, we did not feel authorised at the first moment, and lacking precise and authentic information to entertain our readers about an event of so serious a nature, of which we could at that time give them only an incomplete narrative, tainted with inaccuracy or exaggeration. We now regret to state, that the returns and correspondence since received from Baly, have brought us the afflicting certainty, that the doleful intelligence lately spread over the colony was yet a weakened description of the fact. 3. The Bay of Baly, that fatal spot where European blood has but too often been spilled, has in March last become again the scene of a fearful butchery and plunder. But let us allow speech to an eye-witness, who relates in simple and unadorned language all he has witnessed and felt on this occasion. The following lines have been extracted from a letter which was written soon after the catastrophe by one of the courageous missionaries established on the inhospitable coast. “New misfortunes in the Bay of Baly | 1 now go on with my letter, broken off for several days. Alas! I have at present to announce one more disaster to which we were eye-witnesses. It might well be said of us, that we come here for the mere purpose of recording sinister events. I have written to you with regard to the ‘Joker’ and Captain Asp. This vess 1 was then within a day fixed for her departure: the captain retained on board for upwards of 10 days by a fit of the gout, is at last able to go on shore and settle with Sidi Bonna; scarcely had be got half way when the mate of the ‘Joker' having sent the second boat to the “Frederick and Amelia, is now remaining alone on board of the ‘Joker,’ with the cook and Mr. Asp's unfortunate child, a boy of six years old. - “‘Now is the proper time,” shout the conspirators, rushing forward and laying hold of every weapon within their grasp ; with a single blow the cook’s chest is hewn asunder with a hatchet, and poor little Fortune, the captain's son, is beheaded. Presently Mr. Asp's cabin is entered and muskets and gunpowder taken away. The first shot is aimed at and hits the cook, who had taken refuge on one of the yards; the poor ſellow is precipitated a corpse into the sea. The vessel being now in their possession, the “engagés' (i. e. en- gaged labourers) fall a plundering, slip the anchor chains, and let the vessel, pressed by the currents, go adrift; she soon after grounded near ‘Samate Point.’ Sidi Bonna, accom- panied by all his people, is going to endeavour to get possession of the ‘Joker’ by means of two or three Boutres’ which were lying in Baly Roads; but all the “engagés' are armed to the teeth, and there was no possibility of doing any thing. Parleying is now had recourse to ; the rebels reply, that they will surrender to the Queen and to no one else. “In the evening the Queen arrives with all her attendants. ‘To-morrow,” say the rebels, ‘to-morrow is the day on which we hold a kabarre.” The kabarre has now been continued for three days, during which time the vessel, tossed about by the waves, like the trunk of a tree, is sacked, plundered, and destroyed; she is now lying near Raboucky tomb. At that place upwards of 300 Sakalaves congregated, with the 115 or 118 “engagés' who were on board the ‘Joker,’ and are busy in consuming the ship's stores, stealing, and carrying away everything. This morning we were told that the vessel is on a rocky ground, where she is making water, whilst the plundering is going on, and that no hope can any longer be enter- tained. Sidi Bonna and the Queen are presiding over all these doings. What may their intentions be? They were good in the beginning, I should suppose; but a relish for plunder coming along with plunder, the Queen and Bonna conduct themselves also quite like savages by this time. The ill fated captain is with us for the present, awaiting the dénouement of this affair. It will be known ere long. Should the vessel be decidedly lost, he intends taking his passage on board the “Frederick and Amelia,” which is to touch at Nossi Bé, for the express purpose of landing the captain and remainder of his crew on that island. “And what, after all this, is to become of us? I assure you, we are far from being quiet after such a catastrophe Here on shore we have more than 100 engagés, armed with muskets, and possessing gunpowder; barbarians elated with success, and irritated against the whites, &c. What, I ask, even again, what will be our fate? God’s will be done !” 4. This extract tells so circumstantially this doleful tale as to render any addition of ours rather superabundant, were it not our wish to submit a few brief remarks connected with the immigration question; and, first of all, if we did not consider it to be absolutely necessary to complete this painful narrative by some further particulars obtained from other channels. It is affirmed that Captain Martin, in command of the “Frederick and Amelia,” the moment he heard cries of distress on board the “Joker,” immediately jumped into his boat with four sailors, to hasten to the assistance of the unfortunates about to be butchered; but it was too late ; the murderers had rapidly dispatched their bloody work. The captain’s son and the mate, both inanimate and dreadfully maimed, were lying on the blood-stained deck of the O. 13. - C C “Joker,” MAURITIUS. Encl. 2, in No. 6. T -*. 186 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. dºº-º-º-º: Encl. 3, in No. 6. Encl. 4, in No. 6. “Joker,” and the cook had just fallen, a corpse, overboard. Of what avail, moreover, could the captain's and four men's interference be, in the midst of upwards of 100 insurgents, intoxicated with slaughter and formidably armed ? Finding himself unable to lend assist- ance, and fully convinced of any endeavour to that effect being quite useless, he was com- pelled to row back and escape from the brisk fire of musketry directed against his boat by the engagés of the “Joker.” Captain Martin and Captain Asp had for a moment thought of arming a couple of boutres, and endeavouring to regain possession of the vessel now occupied by the revolted engagés; but the Queen and Sidi Bonna opposed this attempt, under pretence that they could not allow any demonstration to take place against a vessel of which from that moment they instituted themselves the masters. - 5. Retreat became now the most prudent measure to be had recourse to. The situation was fraught with danger; they were too weak for a struggle against a population of bar- barians, ready for every extremity to assuage their thirst for blood, and satisfy their passion for pillage. The captain of the “Joker,” with the remainder of his crew, and the mission- aries who were at the Bay of Baly, embarked on board the “Frederick and Amelia,” which forthwith set sail for Nossi Bé. During her voyage she fell in with the “Giraffe,” a Government transport vessel, bound to Mayotta. Captain Martin, who went on board of the said vessel, met there the Commandant Supérieur of Mayotta and its dependencies; he gave to that functionary a detailed account of all that had taken place in the Bay of Baly. 6. After having collected with the most scrupulous attention all the information that was given to him on so horrid a disaster, the Commandant expressed his regret at being unable to send immediately a ship of war to Baly, having none of which he was prepared to dispose at that time. Captain Martin, after having left the “Giraffe,” returned on board of his own vessel “Frederick and Amelia,” which continued her voyage to Nossi Bé, where she landed on the 7th April last, the reverend fathers the missionaries, Captain Asp, and nine men of the “Joker’s ” crew. Enclosure 3, in No. 6. LookING at the terms of the bond, I have great doubts whether it covers the offence with which Captain Asp is charged, the forfeiture therein provided being applied merely to cases of contravention of the “regulations,” and the general words in the concluding paragraph being, in my opinion, meant only to apply to these cases. 2. The case, however, comes under the 3rd section of the 5th Geo. 4, c. 113, as extended by 6 & 7, c. 98, s. 1, under which statutes Captain Asp is liable, in a penalty of 100 l. for each slave purchased by him, or which he has “procured, counselled, aided, or abetted ” in purchasing. - 3. Accordingly, if Captain Asp shall return to Mauritius, I think an investigation should be commenced for having him tried under the statements referred to. There may be some difficulty as to the jurisdiction of any court here to entertain the case; but, without pre- judging the case, as it may appear after investigation, I think, that the Supreme Court will be able to entertain it as representing the Court of Admiralty. & (signed) W. G. Dickson, Proc. & Adv.-General. Enclosure 4, in No. 6. KNow all men by these presents, that I, Charles Augustus Asp, at present residing in the Town of Port Louis, in the Island of Mauritius, mariner, Master and Commander of the British barque called the “Joker,” of the burthen of 136 tons, or thereabouts, ºm myself, and for the owners or owner of the said barque “Joker” held and firmly bound unto the Government of the Island of Mauritius, in the penal sum of 50 ſ. sterling, of lawful money of Great Britain, to be paid to the said Government of Mauritius, their attorney, agents, successors, or assigns, for which payment to be truly and faithfully made, I, for and on my own behalf and on behalf of the owners or owner of the said vessel, bind myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators firmly by these presents, this 20th day of August, in the year of our Lord, 1856. Whereas, by regulations published in the Mauritius Government Gazette, of the 24th May 1851, and entitled “Regulations for the conduct of immigration from Madagascar, it is stipu- lated and required that the master of every ship conveying or destined to convey immigrants from Madagascar to Mauritius, shall execute a bond binding himself and his owners in a penal sum not exceeding 50 l. stelling, to conform to the several conditions in the said regulations provided ; and wher, as the said Charles Augustus Asp is destined to convey from Mada- gascar to Mauritius a certain number of Malgassy immigrants not exceeding one for every two tons register, when bullocks are carried in the hold, or one for every ton register when the vessel carries no bullocks, provided that a sufficient space for one half of the immigrants to be in is reserved below the deck to the Port of Mauritius. And * - - !') WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 187 And, whereas the said Charles Augustus Asp hath agreed to execute the bond required by the said regulations for the due performance of the conditions, provisions and restrictions therein contained. t And whereas the said Charles Augustus Asp do and shall, well and truly in all thingss abide by, observe and keep all and singular the conditions, provisions and restrictions, which on the part and the behalf of the said owner or owners are or ought to be observed by and kept, and which are compromised and mentioned in the said regulations as aforesaid ac- cording to the true intent and meating of the said regulations. And if the said Charles Augustus Asp do and shall immediately or as soon as possible after the arrival of the said vessel at the Port of Mauritius, deliver or cause to be delivered over to the protector of immigrants or other properly authorised public officers, the immigrants destined for the said port, then this obligation to be void and of no effect, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue. - - Signed and delivered at Port Louis in the presence of (signed) Charles A. Asp. J. A. Hammoneu. J. Beard. - - — No. 7. — (No. 152.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Higginson to the Right Honourable - FI. Labouchere, M.P. Mauritius, 12 August 1857. Sir, (Received, 25 September 1857.) I BEG leave to recommend for confirmation the accompanying Ordinance, No. 22* of 1857, passed by the Legislative Council and myself, intituled, “To amend the Law relative to the engaging of newly arrived Immigrants.” 2. I also submit for your information a copy of a correspondence that passed between the Colonial Government and the Chamber of Agriculture on the subject. - - 3. The Articles of Ordinance 15 of 1854, repealed by the new law, were found in practice to be open to some objections, which it is hoped that the provisions of that now enacted will obviate. These, as regards payment in full of all expenses of introduction, and the right of the party paying them, to claim from Govern- ment, in the event of immigrants so engaged not serving him for the full term of industrial residence, the amount of all stamp duty that may be levied on the subsequent engagements of such immigrants, are similar to the provisions con- tained in Ordinance 12 of J 855. *" 4. Under the Articles of Ordinance 15 of 1854, now repealed, parties were entitled to engage immigrants in excess of the annual quota assigned to them, by paying an extra tax of 3 l., in addition to the ordinary tax of 2 l. levied on each triennial engagement, aggregating 5 l. This amount being frequently less than the entire cost of introduction, and moreover, a bond at months’ date being accepted by Government in lieu of cash, the gain to parties engaging labourers on such terms, was stated by the Protector to have aggravated the evils arising from an increasing competition for men at the immigration depôt ; whilst the delay allowed for payment of the extra tax caused a similar delay in the im- portation of fresh men, in lieu of those so taken. 5. The proposal of the Chamber of Agriculture, that the first employer of the immigrant so engaged should be entitled to receive from the person engaging him, on the expiration of his first three years’ contract of service, two-fifths of the expense originally paid by him (the first employer), I considered to be inad- missible, for the reasons that induced me to reject an application from the same body, for the introduction of a similar clause into Ordinance 12 of 1855, and which I explained in submitting that Ordinance for confirmation. I have, &c. (signed) J. M. Higginson. ; 9.1.3. C C 2 ~£nol MAURITIUS. -*e No. 7. Governor Higgin- son to the Right Hon. H. Labou- chere, M.P. 12 August 1857. * Wide Appendix, No. 18, page 335. 9Sure l En T-- 188 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. *a*s, * Encl. 1, in No. 7. Encl. 2, in No. 7. Enclosure 1, in No. 7. Colonial Secretary’s Office, Sir, 15 November 1856. 1. IN communicating the accompanying Memorandum, drawn up by the Protector of Immigrants, to the Chamber of Agriculture, for the expression of its opinion on the sug- gestions therein contained, I have the honour to intimate to you that his Excellency the Governor concurs in the main proposition involved, viz., to repeal Articles 6 and 7 of Ordinance No. 15 of 1854, and, in lieu thereof, to apply the provisions of Ordinance No. 12 of 1855 to the introduction of all labourers that may be required by planters in excess of the annual quota assigned to each of the number introduced at Government expense. Ordinance upon its beneficial operation was apprehended ; but it was deemed advisable to test the combined working of the two before repealing the above-cited Articles of Ordinance No. 15 of 1854; and, according to the information now furnished, the trial has not been successful. 2. At the period of the late Ordinance being enacted, the effect of the previous 3. Of the incleased demand for labour there can be no doubt. It is, indeed, the natural consequence of the industrial progress which the Colony is so rapidly making; but, for the reasons assigned in the Memorandum, the rush to the depôt to recruit on the arrival of every emigrant ship can scarcely be taken as an accurate criterion of the extent of this increase; for, although it may be quite true that emergencies not unfrequently occur, when additional hands become so indispensable for an estate, that the cost of obtaining them is but a secondary consideration, it is no less true that planters endeavour to procure men on the least onerous terms available. Hence the system of recruitement at the depôt, and even in board of vessels before the emigrants are landed, and the fierce competition there, which often leads to scenes and transactions little creditable to the parties engaged in them, and which, the Chaumber will no doubt agree, that it is exceedingly desirable to see repressed. 4. It appears to his Excellency that by the measure now proposed, employers generally would be placed at once on a more healthy and a more equitable footing, and that the existing temptation to the unfair advantage taken by the less scrupulous would cease, whilst the certainty of obtaining labour would be greater for those who are able and willing to pay the full cost of its introduction. - 5. In reference to the expediency of sending recruiters to India, the planter's own expe- rience will form his best guide. Such misconduct and disappointments as are pointed out by the Protector will, no doubt, sometimes occur; but his Excellency apprehends that if intelligent and trustworthy agents be selected, their assistance in procuring labourers will always be found more or less valuable. - I have, &c. (signed) P. Dowland, The President of the Chamber of Agriculture. Acting Colonial Secretary. Enclosure 2, in No. 7. To the Honourable H. Sandwith, Colonial Secretary. Sir, Port Louis, 24 June 1857. 1. WITH reference to a communication from your predecessor, under date the 15th No- vember last, and to the draft of Ordinance for “Amending the Law relative to the engaging of newly-arrived Immigrants,” published in the Government Gazette of the 6th instant, I am directed to transmit to you, for the consideration of his Excellency the Governor in Council, the enclosed report, prepared by a committee of the Chamber of Agriculture, and unani- mously adopted at the last meeting of the Chamber. 2. It would be superfluous for me to attempt, either to express in stronger terms the sense entertained by the Chamber of the, intentions of his Excellency in bringing forward this Ordinance, or to demonstrate more clearly the necessity of considerably modifying it in order that it may produce the good effects which he contemplates as likely to result from it, and prevent the injustice involved in the entire insufficiency of the means which have been suggested to him for indemnifying the planter for the new and heavy charges which the draft of Ordinance proposes to lay upon him. 3. Nevertheless, I am desired to beg his Excellency in Council to give his favourable attention to the following further considerations: 4. It appeared to the Chamber that the suggestions of the Protector of Immigrants pro- ceed upon a radically erroneous principle, and one which cannot be for a moment enter- tained by any one looking to the interests of all classes in the Colony, to the wants of the English consumers, and to the often-expressed ideas and desires of the superior authorities, both here and at home. 5. In WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 189 5. In the opinion of that officer it would appear to be wisdom and good policy not to facilitate the supply of the real and legitimate demand for labour, but to invent means, by fresh taxes and additional expenses, to create an artificial and oppressive restriction to the demand, and deter employers from resorting to the depôt. Such an attempt, as reason would presume, experience has proved, car, only augment the “fierce competition” and the irregularities which exist there; but nevertheless, while an infallible means of extracting more money from the planter has been suggested to his Excellency, any provision for prac- tically assuring him either the benefit of the labour he will be called on to pay for, or failing that, even a reasonable partial indemnity for his outlay, has been neglected. 6. His Excellency has too often proved, and the most recently received Despatches from the Secretary of State too clearly declare, the desire of allowing to the planter every legiti- mate facility for maintaining and increasing the produce of the island for it to be requisite to do more than point out this tendency to strangle the demand for labour at the depôt, and augment the real want of it on the estates; and the Chamber relies on his Excellency making such modifications in the proposed Ordinance, as, while securing all due freedom to the immigrant, will augment the number of labourers, and at the same time indemnify the planter, for the instant, heavy, and otherwise unfair burden, which, as it at present stands, the draft would subject him to. 7. It is absolutely certain that the Government, unless by a different practice and regula- tions than those now enforced, and without a degree of perpetual surveillance and vexatious interference which are not to be desired, would not, and could not, collect from the immi- grants, when once discharged and dispersed, anything like a sum sufficient to compensate or reimburse the planter for his outlay, 8. I am desired therefore particularly to solicit his Excellency’s consideration of the regu- lations suggested by the Chamber to meet this fair requirement. They appear to be simple, practical, and just to both sides. Looking to the spirit and letter of the fundamental Ordinance relating to immigrants, prepared by the Secretary of State himself, and to the declaration of principles laid down by the Despatches which accompanied it, the Chamber cannot entertain a doubt of the propriety of every immigrant lawfully introduced, either at the cost of the Colony or of individuals, being held bound at the time of his discharge to make good, either through the means of a subsequent employer, or in the manner otherwise enjoined by the Secretary of State, a portion of the cost of introduction proportioned to the unexpired term of industrial residence. - 9. I am further desired respectfully to urge upon his Excellency the suggestion that all sums paid in virtue of this projected Ordinance should at once, and by a provision in the law itself, and without any new vote pro re natá being necessary, be at once applied to the introduction of additional immigrants, and that the proper officer be instructed to forward the demand for such additional immigrants, monthly or quarterly, as the fund accumulates. 10. In conclusion, the Chamber prays his Excellency to refrain from making the pro- posed change in the law of 1854, unless either by the means suggested by the Chamber, or by others which may be devised, more fitting, but equally efficacious and practicable, full assurance is had on these two points; viz. 1°. That the additional tax proposed to be laid on the agricultural interest shall be im– mediately applied to the purpose of augmenting the supply of labour, as was nominally set forth by the existing law, but which has been put in practicce too tardily, when acted upon at all ; and, 2°. That the individual planter contributing to that fund shall be assured of receiving the full advantage from his outlay, or of being reimbursed in due proportion. I have, &c. (signed) J. Currie, President of the Chamber of Agriculture. Sub-Enclosure. TRANSLATION. A REPORT of the Immigration Committee of the Chamber of Agriculture upon a Communica- tion from Government, dated the 15th November last, for the purpose of obtaining the Opinion of the Chamber upon a proposition emanating from the Protector of Immigrants relative to Ordinances Nos. 15 of 1854, and 12 of 1855. - - Gentlemen, 1. THE suspension of Indian immigration having led to the withdrawal from the order of the day of your Chamber of all questions of detail or of organisation connected with such immigration, it is only upon the receipt of intelligence of a more satisfactory nature from India that the proposition of the Protector of Immigrants has again been brought to the notice of your Committee. - - - - - -s”, “ . O. 13. - C C 3 +. 2. Now MAURITIUS. unmºre ºmº 190 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. tºms 2. Now that the unfortunate circumstance that caused this long delay appears under an asi.ect less menacing for the Colony, it becomes our duty to reply as soon as possible to his Excellency the Governor's request, and to thank him for this new mark of goodwill, and confidence in the Chamber of Agriculture. 3. Your Committee has consequently read and examined, with the attention they merit, the proposition of the l’rotector of Immigrants and the letter of the Honourable the Colo nial Secretary, and coin pared them with the Ordinances to which they refer. - - 4. The Government having set aside the incidental suggestion relative to the sending parties to recruit in India, the proposition of the Protector of Immigrants is reduced to the question of replacing Articles 6 and 7 of Ordinance No. 15 of 1854 by Ordinance No. 12 of 1855, or, more correctly, by Articles 4 and 5 of this latter Ordinance, which articles alone. seem to be truly applicable to the end proposed. 5. This end appears to be, in particular, the greater equalisation of chances between. planters, by raising to the real price of the introduction of the immigrants the amount of sur-tax to be paid by a planter taking more men than the proportional number to which he is entitled under existing regulations, and thereby to diminish the motives that lead to undue and prejudicial competition at the immigration depôt. 6. By the law of 1854, every one obtaining the services of more immigranis than the number he is entitled to, is only bound to pay, over and above the usual stamp tax, the sum of 3 l extra tax, which sum should be employed in bringing down an additional number of immigrants upon sufficient security. The planter is allowed' a delay of six months for pay- ment of the tax, which amounts to 2 l. for three years. . 7. According to the law of 1855, every one taking advantage of the right of bringing down immigrants for himself, is bound to pay the whole of the passage-money, and other expenses attendant upon the proportion of women that ought to accompany these immi- grants. * 8. It is the difference between these two dispositions of the law that constitutes, in the opinion ºf the Protector and of the Government, an unjust preference in favour of a party taking extra men under Ordinance No. 15 of 1854; and, as a consequence thereof, an encouragement to seek to secure men from amongst those already in the Colony, and to seduce them by gratifications of all sorts, to the detriment of those persons who have not received their regular contingent, and who cannot hope to see them replaced by the sur-tax of 3/., as that sum alone will not cover the expense of the introduction of another man. r - - 9. As to what concerns the preference given to new over old immigrants, it is necessary. to observe that it is not even apparent. The most certain proof of this that can be adduced, is, that not one of these latter remains unemployed. Planters prefer them, not only because there is no tax to pay for men of more than five years' standing, but also, and especially, because these latter, like men of three years’ standing, more than compensate by the superiority of their labour for the difference that may exist between the rate of their wages and that of the wages of newly-arrived immigrants; which difference, moreover, is reduced to nothing from the very first day, by the gratifications of all kinds spoken of by the Pro- tector, added to the expenses incurred in sending recruiting sirdars to India, especially when the sur-tax of 3 l is added to the stamp-tax of 2 l. ; since the sums above, with interest for three years, and the losses resulting from permanent absences and deaths, are equivalent to more than one dollar per month, the usual amount of difference between the wages of new and old immigrants. 10. This argument unay therefore be set aside, for the truth is, that if newly-arrived immi- grants are eagerly sought after, it is because there are not a sufficient number of old immigrant labourers. 11. As to the real difference resulting from the dispositions of the two laws above recited, your Committee is sensible that it is of some importance; however, it does not seem to be so considerable as the Government seems to believe it to he, nor of such general in- portance. 12. In fact, in the case of the Ordinance of 1854, the planter pays altogether to the trea- sury 5 l. for each new immigrant he engages over and above his proper contingent. 13. In the case of the Ordinance of 1855, he would pay (if this Ordinance had not been, in fact, a dead letter to the present time) about 8/., that is to say, 6 l. for the mean calcula- tion of men for these latter years, and 2/. for the proportion of women. But in case where he should only profit of three-fifths of the period of industrial residence for these immi- grants, that is to say, in case they should not re-engage with him, he would be reimbursed by Government a sum varying from 30s. to 60s. ; 30s. if these men re-engaged with one other person for the two remaining years, that is I l. for the first year, and 10s. for the second ; 40s. if they pass these two years with two different employers, each paying l l ; and lastly, 50s, or 60s. if they were to compound for one or two years of service. 14. Th g 4. The T WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 19 14. The difference between these two positions would amount therefore, in the opinion of your Committee, to no more than 1 l., even if a regulation modifying the law were to reduce the reimbursement to 1 l., and to the Indirect advantage of not paying cash the stamp-tax of 21. under the provisions of Ordinance No. 15 of 1854. 15. But however slight this difference might be, your Committee would not hesitate to recommend you to approve any measure that would tend to do away with it, if the measure were at the same time of such a nature as not to open a door to new sources of incon- venience. - 16. The members of the Chamber have always desired equal protection for all, and will always approve Government in all that tends, even in an indirect manner, to diminish the system of competition so often blameable that has sprung up at the depôl, and the necessity of which can scarcely be explained. * 17. You will therefore, we believe, approve Government in seeking to re-establish equilibrium on these two points, by no longer granting any delay for the payment of the tax of 2 l., and in increasing by 1 l. the sur tax of 3 l., which would really raise the charge in the former case to 6 l., provided more efficacious means than those hitherto employed were dis- covered to make this money turn to the advantage of those disappointed in receiving their fair contingent of men, by asking, each mail, for the additional number thus due. 18. Were it otherwise, the inconveniences to which agriculture is now exposed in this respect would, far from being diminished, be considerably augmented, to the great detriment of the entire Colony, for some parties would pay more without others profiting more, 19. This, however, is only a palliative for an evil of merely relative existence; and we are justifi, d in declaring that it would amount to causing a direct evil in order to heal an indirect one. 20. In fact the planter, who, under the law of 1854, actually pays 5 l. to engage for three years men whose introduction, along with that of their wives, only costs 6 l. or 8 l. for a service of five years, pays in reality all that he ought to pay, and even more, since two-thirds of 8 l. is but 4 l. 16 s., and the difference between him and a party who, under the Ordinance of 1855 would pay 8-l., consists, not in the former paying too little, but in the latter paying too much ; for, once more, he pays the whole of the expenses of the introduction of a man from whom he can only expect to obtain three-fifths of his period of service, and can only hope for reimbursement in a distant claim, perhaps illusory, and in every case incomplete. 21. This state of things constitutes a radical evil, the true remedy for which we do not hesitate to say consists in engagements for five years. This remedy, equally applicable to so many other serious evils, has been so often brought to the notice of Government, that it may at first sight seem useless to solicit it again, and that the prejudices which alone were worked against it seem daily diminishing on the part of Government, both Colonial and Imperial, we should not neglect any occasion of pointing out any of its least advantages. 22. Thus, were the faculty of entering into such agreements conceded, all the difficulties of our present system would disappear simultaneously. The payment of all the expenses of introduction would be simply justice towards the employer, and Government would be relieved from making any provision in the budget for an object of such importance as immi- gration, whilst it would throw all expenses on the parties engaging met and directly interested ; with power, however, in times of commercial crisis or difficulty, to advance a portion of these expenses. Until this system be adopted, it will be impossible to act equally towards all, for even in equalising the differences just spoken of, there is, after all, nothing to prevent a party not receiving his fair contingent being sacrificed to others, since he will have paid his share of taxation without profiting of it equally with others. 23. This is only one view of the question, but it is desirable that it should not escape the enlightened perspicacity of his Excellency the Governor. 24. His Excellency, with his usual sound judgment, having already perceived how undesirable was the suggestion tending to prohibit the despatch of recruiting sirdars to India, it might be unnecessary to touch upon it; yet it is proper to proclaim once more, this well known truth, that want of labourers alone compels planters to resort to measures of which they are themselves the first to acknowledge the inconveniences; uneasures very costly and troubiesome to them, but indispensable to prevent greater inconvenience. They all know that the sending men to recruit in India deprives the Colony of a number of men equal perhaps to 10 per cent, of those annually introduced. All would wish to escape the necessity of preparing for more than a year in advance against the total want of labourers, and to avoid the annoyance of paying and dispatching sirdars, who perhaps wiłł not return, or if they do, will allow themselves to be seduced by others. But can they do otherwise, when they know that they seldom or ever can procure men at the depôt, unless brought down for them by recruiters, and, be it said in passing, in the interest of all parties, it is better for them not to appear at all at the depôt, unless when summoned by one of these old servants; can they do otherwise, when they know that for want of such precautions, after all often insuſficient, the most solid fortune can be shaken 3 No, it cannot be otherwise so long as immigration does not supply the Colony with a number of labourers sufficient for all its wants. And in this respect, the Chamber of Agriculture places full confidence in his Excellency the Governor. What he has hitherto done to assist the progress of the Colony, he will do again. Whether present or distant, he will demonstrate to those on whom depends our fate that the produc- tion of Mauritius, which has more than doubled itself during his administration, can double O. 13. C C 4 itself MAURITIUS. ** 192 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. * No. 8. Governor Higgin- son to the Right Hon. H. Labou- chere, M.P. 9 September 1 857. * Wide Appendix, No. 19, page 336. itself again in a few years (as we possess all the other elements), by a sufficient supply of abour, and by suitable regulations, to the very great advantage both of commerce and agriculture, of the English consumer as well as the Mauritius producer. - 25. To resume, we propose to you, that if you adopt this report, you will pray our Pre- sident to transmit the opinions contained in it to his Excellency the Governor, in reply to his communication of November last. 28 May 1857. - (signed), G. Fropier. 26. This report was written when a draft of Ordinance on the subject appeared in the Government Gazette of the 30th May. - 27. The observations of the Committee apply to this draft of Ordinance, as well as to the documents which preceded it; very few words will, we hope, suffice to complete them. 28. The draft assimilates in every respect, as regards expenses, the party taking more than his contingent to one who sends directly for immigrants; he will, therefore, probably have to pay from 6 l to 8 l. per man. We have endeavoured to prove that this is too much when he would only profit of three years of service. , 29. A remedy which would be possible, although still incomplete, would be, instead of the illusory right given in Article 4, and which would be as incouvenient for Government as vexatious to the planter to enact, as the Chamber of Agriculture has already proposed in its observations upon the law of 1855, that the party succeeding the planter in the engage- ment of the labourer shall be bound, at the moment of breaking the engagement, to reim- burse to the former planter two-fifths of the sum he may have paid to Government, with interest for three years, and in like manner for the last year; that is to say, the last em- ployer shall in his turn pay the preceding employer the last fifth with interest. The same regulation should be enforced when the Indian purchases exemption for his period of resi- dence. This would be but justice, and no one could allege that the provision of the law was injurious to the liberty of the subject. This allegation would fall to the ground in presence of the reflection that since the obligatory payment of 8 l. by the first employer does not affect this liberty any more than the present taxes now levied of 2 l. and 5 l., the pay- ment of 3 l. cannot have this effect. 30. The draft of Ordinance has completely neglected any clause to provide for demanding an additional number of immigrants corresponding to that for which the tax may have been paid. We believe this to be an oversight; but we think we have demonstrated that this dispo- sition ought to be more positive and more carefully drawn than in the preceding Ordinances. 31. For want of such a clause, and the amendment mentioned in a precedin.g. article, we do not hesitate to say that the projected law, though due to ideas of benevolence and justice, would only succeed in creating a tax useless and ruinous to agriculture. 32. It might diminish competition, but it would be by suppressing the possibility of it, and consequently sapping the resources of the Colony. * (signed) G. Fropier, Reporter. 15 June 1857. — No. 8. — (No. 177.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Higginson to the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M.P. Mauritius, 9 September 1857. (Received, 23 October 1857.) Sir, (Answered, No. 80, 26 November 1857, page 284.) I Now beg leave to recommend, for Her Majesty's gracious confirmation, the enclosed ordinance, No. 23* of 1857, intituled, “To amend the Law as to the introduction and engagement of Immigrants from Territories not under the government of the East India Company,” which has been passed by the Legis- lative Council and myself. 2. The accompanying report of the Procureur General upon this Ordinance fully explains the nature of its provisions, and the necessity for enacting them. 3. The main objects in view are twofold. First, to regularise, under licenses to be issued by the Governor, immigration from such countries, not within the territories of the Honourable the East India Company, as have been or hereafter may be sanctioned by Her Majesty's Government; and, second, to prohibit, under heavy penalties, the introduction of such immigrants, except under the provisions of this ordinance. - - 4. I may here remark, that the present Procureur General, coincides in the opinion expressed by his predecessor, that under the existing laws there are no sufficient means of preventing a recurrence of the irregularities committed in the cases of the French ships “ Glaneur” and “St. Germain.” 5. It WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 1 Q3 5. It is hoped that an immigration so carefully guarded will not be found open to objection ; whilst the penalties imposed for contraventions of the new law will, it is believed, effectually prevent any recurrence of such irregular and unauthorised introduction of labourers as were successfully attempted last year, and that, under the provisions of this ordinance, the Governor will be empowered to repress every form of immigration, which is contrary to the national policy. 6. It will be observed that the proportion of females to male immigrants has been left to be fixed by the regulations, which, under the authority of the ordi- nance, the Governor, in Executive Council, is empowered to frame; and I undertook, on the part of the Council, to represent that if rigorous restrictions on this head were at the ontSet insisted on, the advantage to the labour market promised by the new measure would be neutralised, and thus one of its chief objects be partially defeated, from the repugnance which is felt in most countries to the emigration of women until the way is cleared by male pioneers, upon whose report, if satisfactory, the other sex become less indisposed to follow the men. On this important point the instructions of Her Majesty's Government are solicited ; but I would venture to suggest that, in the first instance, a small proportion of females only should be exacted, say about half that fixed in the immigration from India, to be prospectively augmented in a corresponding ratio. 7. It has been deemed advisable to provide that this ordinance shall not take effect until confirmed and allowed by Her Majesty, and a clause suspending its operation has therefore been added to it. I have, &c. (signed) J. M. Higginson. — No. 9. — (No. 179). Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Higginson to the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. Mauritius, 9 September 1857. (Received, 23 October 1857.) Sir, (Answered, No. 105, 19 January 1858, p. 285.) REFERRING to the correspondence noted in the margin, I beg leave to transmit herewith, for Her Majesty's gracious confirmation, Ordinance No. 26* of 1857, intituled, “An Ordinance for preventing the illegal introduction of Indian Immigrants into Mauritius.”f 2. The Procureur and Advocate General, concurring in the opinion of his predecessor, that there existed no colonial law under which violations of our Indian immigration regulations, similar to that committed in the case of the French ship “St. Germain,” could be effectually prevented, the introduction of an Ordinance for the purpose became indispensable. That now submitted, was accordingly prepared; and it is hoped that the powers now conferred upon the Executive Government will enable it to repress and punish all further attempts to illegally introduce immigrants from India into Mauritius, or to any of its dependencies. 3. In regard to Ordinance No. 1] of 1842, referred to in the Land and Emi- gration Commissioners' Report, and containing very stringent enactments against such violation of the law as has given rise to this correspondence, I beg to state that this Ordinance, for some reason which I have been unable to trace, does not appear to have been confirmed by Her Majesty, and did not consequently lapse; and by some oversight, I presume, its penal provisions were not, unfortunately, embodied in any subsequent law. 4. The engagements containing the invalid clause, entered into by the immi- grants, per ships “ St. Germain" and “ Glaneur,” have not been cancelled; but the immigrants have been made distinctly acquainted with their true position, and with their perfect liberty, at the expiration of the three years' contract, to select other employers, without being in any way bound by the provision of the invalid clause, requiring them, in such a case, to re-imburse two-fifths of the alm Ount * Secretary of State's Despatch, No. 313, of 8 April 1857, p. 256, Secretary of State's Despatch, No. 350, of 19 May 1857, p. 276. O. 13. D D MAURITIUS, -*ssºrs No. 9. Governor Higgin- son to the Right Hon. H. Labou- chere, M.P. 9 September 1857. f. Wide Appendix, No. 20, p. 340. 1 Q4 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. Encl. in No. 9. amount charged for their passage to Mauritius. I enclose a copy of a circular letter which has been addressed to stipendiary magistrates upon the same subject. - - 5. I much regret to perceive, from the tenor of a letter under date the 7th May last, from Sir j. Melvill to the Secretary to the India Board, that some doubts were entertained by the Honourable the Court of Directors of the desire of the Government of Mauritius to prevent the illegal introduction of natives of India, which, on the part of the Council of Government, as well as on my own, I must emphatically disclaim. So far from encouragement being given to evade the law, the instances of its violation that occurred at Aden and Bombay were promptly denounced to the Indian authorities at both places, and early steps were taken, by proclamation and otherwise, to warn all parties against the consequences of any repetition of such proceedings, the defective state of the law, only then made apparent, alone saving the importers of the immigrants from prosecution and punishment. tº º e 6. I would further observe, in reference to the strong objection entertained by the Honourable Court to immigration from India to the Colonies, except through agents authorised by Government to conduct the service, that I have never advocated any other system ; but, on the contrary, I have invariably opposed all schemes based on a different principle; and the sentiments on this question, recently expressed in par. 6 of my Despatch, No. 143 of the 14th August 1856, reporting the arrival of the “ St. Germain,” will be found to entirely accord with these views. º º º 7. It may be well to add, that it was resolved to introduce this Ordinance pre- viously to the receipt of your Despatch, covering the communication from Sir J. Melvill to the India Board, in which resolution it is hoped that the Honourable Court may recognise an additional proof, if such be wanting, that the Colonial Government is determined to exercise all the authority and influence it possesses to prevent the introduction of Indian labourers by any other means, save those that have been sanctioned by the Court, in communication with the Government of India. 8. The usual report by the Procureur and Advocate General accompanies; and I have deemed it right to forward copies of the Ordinance and of this Despatch, for the information of the Government of India. I have, &c. (signed) J. M. Higginson. Enclosure in No. 9. To the Stipendiary Magistrate, &c. &c. - Colonial Secretary's Office, Sir, 25 November 1856. I AM directed by his Excellency the Governor to invite your attention to the engage- ments for three years, which were passed on the 26th, 28th, and 29th July last, by Messrs. de Coursont & Co., with certain immigrants, who arrived here on board the French ship “St. Germain,” and also to those for a similar period, passed on the 1st August, by Mr. A. Hardie, of the “Riche Marne’’ estate, with the emigrants per “ Glaneur,” in which engagements a clause was inserted to the effect that these men would be liable, under certain conditions, on the expiration of their engagements, to pay a certain portion of their passage money hither; and I am to state that, as they must, of necessity, on the expiration of their present engagements, present themselves before the stipendiary magistrate who passed such engagements, or some other stipendiary magistrate, either for the purpose of being discharged if they do not re-engage, or to enter into a fresh engagement if they do re-engage, his Excellency directs that you will resist any attempts that may be made at the expiration of the three years in question, to enforce the clause in their contracts alluded to, and that you will inform these immigrants that such clause is utterly untenable in law. I have, &c. (signed) J. Dowland, Acting Colonial Secretary. WEST I NDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. : 1 95 - — No. 10. — (No. 19.) - Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Stevenson to the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. - Mauritius, 3 November 1857. Sir, (Received, 7 January 1858.) I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, No. 16, of the 20th August, with its enclosures, from the Foreign Department and the Admiralty, requiring a full and immediate explanation of the circumstances under which the English barque “Joker” was furnished with a licence to carry labourers from the coast of Madagascar to this Colony. 2. I find that my predecessor has already reported to you, in Despatch No. 140,” of the 2d August 1857, that the licence to which you refer was granted previously to the receipt of your Despatch, under date of the 26th August 1856, prohibiting the introduction of labourers from Madagascar; that, if the immigrants found on board the “Joker,” by Commodore Trotter, had not embarked of their own free will, the commander of that vessel was acting in violation of the terms upon which his licence was granted to him ; and that, in the event of his returning to this island, a legal investigation would be made into the matter, under the advice of the law officers of the Crown. - 3. Captain Aps has not returned, nor has anything more been heard of him since the report, which my predecessor likewise transmitted to you, of the mutiny and massacre which occurred on board the “ Joker.” 4. It only remains for me, therefore, to show the authority upon which the licence referred to was granted. * 5. In answer to my inquiries upon this point, the Colonial Secretary placed in my hands the regulations of the 23d May 1851. 6. Upon my then asking on what authority these regulations were issued, the following particulars were reported to me as the result of a careful investigation ; and I believe that this report exhibits the facts as clearly as they can now be traced, in the absence of all those officials who were familiar with such transactions of the day as do not appear upon the records. 7. In a Despatch, dated the 24th July 1850, No. 122, Sir George Anderson reported, that 54 labourers had been introduced into this Colony from the West Coast of Miadagascar, and requested instructions as to the expediency of pro- moting immigration from that quarter. 8. The Secretary of State replied (Despatch No. 16, of 20 August 1850) that he had no objection to the introduction of labourers from Madagascar, which he thought would be attended with much benefit both to that island and to this. In a further Despatch, however (No. 18, of 26 November 1850) he expressed his apprehension that slavery might possibly be encouraged by the opening of this new labour market, and suggested that inquiries should be made as to the cir- cumstances under which the labourers already introduced left Madagascar. 9. In submitting this Despatch for the consideration of Council, Sir James Higginson presented a minute on the subject, which is here with transmitted, together with the Report of the Immigration Committee of Council, to whom it was referred. 10. It appears by these documents that it was then contemplated to send an expedition to the Western Coast of Madagascar, with the view of ascertaining how immigration from that island could best be established, and the committee recommended that, pending the execution of this project, captains of ships should be permitted to introduce labourers under a licence, provided that they entered into a bond to comply with such regulations as the Government might establish, to prevent abuses in the recruiting of immigrants, and in their treatment, during the voyage. 11. The Regulations of the 23d May 1851 were issued in pursuance of this recommendation, and were transmitted, for the approval of the Secretary of State, by Sir James Higginson's Despatch, No. 84, of 16 May 1851. 12. No objection appears to have been made to them at the time by Her Majesty’s Government, and the introduction of Malagash immigrants into Seycheeles under the same provisions was sanctioned by the Secretary of State's Despatch, No 152, of 18 November, in the same year. O. 13. D D 2 13. The MAU RITIUS. &==ººmsm-sº No. 1 o. Governor son to the Right Hon. H. Labou- chere, M. P. 3 November 1857. Steven- * Page 183. E f 2. *... ,3 e 196 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. I3. The scheme, originally contemplated in 1851, seems to have been aban- doned, partly on account of the difficulty experienced in obtaining a ship of war for the purposes of the expedition, and partly from a hesitation, on the part of the Government, to offend our ally, the queen of the Hoovas, who was known to be opposed to Fmigration from Madagascar. - 14. It was, indeed, on her account that the order for the final suspension of Malagash immigration was issued, in pursuance of the instructions conveyed by the Secretary of State’s Despatch, No. 166, dated the 26th August 1856. 15. Up to the date at which that Despatch was received, licences similar to the one granted to Captain Asp, had, from time to time, been furnished to captains of ships, during a period of more than five years, and 219 immigrants from Madagascar had been thus introduced. These licences have now, of course, been discontinued. Encl. 1, in No. 1 O. I have, &c. (signed) PWilliam Stevenson. Enclosure 1, in No. 10. IMMIGRATION FROM M A DAGASCAR. HIs Excellency the Governor directs the publication of the following Regulations for the contiuct of immigration from Madagascar, for the information and guidance of the public generally. - (signed) C. J. Bayley, Colonial Secretary’s Office, 23 May 1851. Colonial Secretary. REGULATIONs. 1. The captains of vessels intending to bring more than 10 natives from Madagascar, shall previously obtain from his Excellency the Governor a licence, under his hand and seal, which shalí be renewed for each voyage. 2. The application for a licence shall be accompanied with a certificate of the harbour- master, to the effect that the vessel is a safe one, and suitably fitted out for the voyage; and also a certificate of the protector of immigrants, that the captain is possessed of a sufficient knowledge of the Malagasy language, or has a proper person on board to act as Interpreter. - e 3. Previously to the delivery of the licence the captain of the vessel shall execute and leave in the protector of immigrant’s hands a bond, in a penalty of 50 l., that the present regulations shall be observed. - 4. He shall admit on board of his vessel, to be conveyed to Mauritius, only such people as embark of their own free will, and he shall, previously to sailing, explain to each immigrant in the day-time, and in presence of the crew, that be is taken to Mauritius to work as a labourer, and what wages he may expect to obtain on his arrival. If, on receiving such explanations, any immigrant objects to proceed, he shall be imme- diately landed, under a penalty of 5 l, for each man brought to this Colony against his will; such sum to defray his expenses in the Colony, and the charge for his return passage. 5. The captain shall become bound, on receiving his licence, to furnish to the immigrants on board his ship a sufficiency of water, and of such food as is used by the natives of Madagascar; and any proved complaint of insufficiency in this respect shall disqualify the captain for a renewal of his licence. 6. The number of immigrants which a vessel may be licensed to carry shall not exceed one for every two tons register, when bullocks are carried in the hold; or one for each ton register when the vessel carries no bullocks, provided that a sufficient space for one-half of the immigrants to lie in is reserved below the deck. 7. The protector of immigrants shall inspect each vessel on her arrival, and shall cancel the bond given by the captain, if satisfied that these regulations have been observed. In case of any infraction he shall immediately report the circumstance. 8. The immigrants, after the inspection, shall be landed at the depôt, with three days' provisions. The captain shall report to the protector the sum which he demands for the passage of each man, who shall be held free to choose his employer, and make his own terms, after paying to the captain the price of his passage. 9. Where female immigrants are embark, d, a place shall be set apart for them under the deck, which shall not be less than 10 square feet superficies, and 4 feet in height for each. 10. A bonus shall be given out of the colonial funds to such of the captains as shall introduce a proportion of females amongst the adults, as follows: When the proportion is 1 female in 10 adults, 3 l. for each female. ,, 2 in 10 - 4 l. , ,, 3 or more in 10, 5 l. 55 the payment to be made on the certificate of the protector, that the regulations have been observed, accompanied by a return of the number of adults of both sexes on board, WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 197 Enclosure 2, in No. 10. MINUTE. 1. DEPENDENT as Mauritius unfortunately is upon foreign labour for the profitable cul- tivation of her soil, it appears to me to be highly desirable that every opportunity that may offer for multiplying the channels from whence such indispensable assistance can be drawn, ought to be maturely considered and taken advantage of whenever reasonable hopes of success may be entertained. 2. I have long been of opinion that the neighbouring and populous island of Madagascar presents the natural source of relief from the evil under which we suffer from the absence of a resident labouring population; and the approbation of Her Majesty's Government having been obtained to the attempt to import immigrants from this quarter being made, it behoves the local Government to initiate such measures as may be calculated to give it a fair trial, and, if possible, insure its success. 3. I submit for the information of the Honourable the Legislative Council a second Despatch, which has been received from Her Majesty's Secretary of State upon this sub- ject, the purport of which is, to guard against the possible abuses to which a free and unrestricted immigration from Madagascar might give rise. I feel satisfied that the public feeling here will re-echo the sentinents expressed by Earl Grey; but effective precaution may, I think, be taken to prevent so baneful a result as that adverted to. The first step towards the accomplishment of our object will be to endeavour to procure accurate information as to the localities on the Madagascar coast from whence suitable immigrants (male and female) would be disposed to come. Similar efforts have, I under- stand, been made from time to time, but without much success, I believe, from difficulties which may, it is hoped, be at least partially overcome. 4. There is at present here an envoy of King Rabouky, of Bayonna Bay, by name “Oussoof,” who holds an authenticated copy of a treaty entered into between his sovereign and Captain Brown, of Her Majesty’s ship “Geyser,” on the part of the British Govern- ment, bearing date the 20th September 1848. It is believed that he was sent here to procure fire-arms and gunpowder; but he has fallen sick, and is in pecuniary distress. He states, that there is no objection of the part of his master to allow his subjects to resort to Mauritius for work, and he is of opinion that many would be disposed to come if proper facilities were afforded them. This man's services might be turned to account, and I recommend that a small sum be voted for his maintenance until the end of the hurricane season; when I would suggest that one of our Government steamers should be dispatched to the part of the coast in question, touching at other places, as might seem expedient. In her “Oussoof” could have a passage; and I conceive it would also be desirable to send back a few of the natives of Madagascar who have been in the island, and enjoyed the superior advantages within reach of every indus- trious working man that visits our shores. They would be able to afford their fellow countrymen all the information respecting their prospects here that they could desire, and their report would naturally command more confidence and credit than that of foreigners or strangers. . 5. Being keenly alive to the vast importance of every step that may be taken towards the opening and maintaining a free and more extensive intercourse with Madagascar, whether for purposes of obtaining labour, or of benefiting commerce and trade, and being satisfied that, under a proper system, the introduction of labourers, with an adequate proportion of females from that country, will prove no less beneficial to themselves than to their employers, I conceive it to be my duty to bring the subject under the early delibera- tion of the Honourable the Legislative Council. - (signed) J. M. Higginson. Reduit, March 1851. Enclosure 3, in No. 10. REPORT of the Immigration Committee of the Council of Government, on Papers presented to them by His Excellency the Governor. CoMMITTEE : The Treasurer and Paymaster General, President The Auditor-General, Hon. W. Forster, Hon. H. Koenig, Hon. Sir David Barclay, Bart., Hon. P. Harel, . - Hon. G. Fropier. Read. Minute of his Excellency the Governor, dated 22d March, with a report of a committee appointed by his Excelleney to collect information, and to prepare a scheme for an expedition to the western coast of Madagascar, with the object of ascertaining how immigration can best be effected from that island. 2. The chief results of the inquiry instituted by this committee appear to be— 1st. That the inhabitants of the eastern coast of Madagascar are those best qualified to become useful labourers in this Colony; but that the whole of that coast, with the greater O. l 3. D D 3 part MAURI'ſ IUS. ºsmºs-s-s Encl. 2, in No. 1 O. Encl. 3, in No. 1 o 198 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. part of the centre of the island and of the north-western coast, together with some detached === places on the western coast, are under the dominion of the Queen of the Hovas, who is not likely to permit emigration from her territories upon terms to which this Government could assent. * 3. Second. That those parts of the western coast which are independent of the Hovas are not thickly populated; that the Sakalaves, who constitute the greater part of the population, are described as an independent, warlike, indolent race, not likely to become steady labourers; that the Entalotes, or mixed race between the Sakalaves and Arabs, who are numerous on that coast, are still less likely to be useful immigrants; that there is considerable diversity of opinion as to their disposition to emigrate, as to the proportion of women that could be induced to accompany them, and as to the ports from which they could be obtained. - 4. Third. That the exportation of slaves from Madagascar is believed to have ceased alto- gether ; but that, on the contrary, there is a continual introduction of slaves from the Coast of Africa, brought over in Arab dhows, whose owners receive bullocks and rice in exchange for them. 5. Fourth. That the expense of a mission to the several ports on the western coast, at which there is a chance of obtaining a supply of labourers, and to the Comoro Islands, would be about 900 l. or 1,000 l. - 6. Upon a careful consideration of the whole question, the Immigration Committee are of opinion that, although it is uncertain whether any important advantages will result from the mission, it is expedient that it should be undertaken. It is desirable that the capabilities of the westein coast of Madagascar for furnishing labourers to this colony should be ascer- tained, and that relations of amity should be established and cultivated with the chiefs. Some benefit to the commerce of the colony may arise from the expedition. It may also have a beneficial effect on the policy of the Hova government, who, in the apprehension of the increase of British influence and British connexions on the western coast, may endeavour to avert it by hastening the restoration of our former relations with itself. -> - 7. The only question is, when and how the expedition should be undertaken, whether im- mediately, without previous communication with the Secretary of State; whether with such means and agency as the colony can supply, or with the assistance of the Home Govern- ment. 8. A reference to the Secretary of State will cause the delay of a year, as the proper season for the expedition will have passed by before any decision can be taken on the matter in England; but it is more important to guard against any misinterpretation of our aims and intentions, and to avoid arousing new susceptibilities in England, than to lose a season, especially as a large supply of labourers may be expected from India in the present year, and the prospect of any supply resulting from this expedition is so uncertain. 9. It would also contribute much to the chance of success, and prevent misconstruc- tion, if one of Her Majesty’s ships were employed on the occasion. The presence of a man- of-war would command respect for the mission among the natives, and satisfy the public in England, that no measures would be adopted which would be opposed to the established policy of the Government. 10. The Committee are further informed that a survey of the dependencies of the colony is contemplated. The assistance of a man-of-war is much to be desired for such a purpose. The Home Government might be disposed to render this, and to despatch a vessel hither for the double service. - 11. The Committee offer these suggestions for the consideration of his Excellency the Governor. If his Excellency should decide on dispatching the mission this year, the scheme proposed by the Committee of Inquiry appears to be in every way suitable, and the Com- mittee recommend the Council to place at his Excellency's disposal the sum of 1,000 l. for its prosecution. - - 12. The Committee will now proceed to notice certain incidental questions connected with this subject, either referred to in his excellency’s minute, or otherwise suggested. 13. With legard to the existence of any territory on the eastern coast independent of the Hovas, and to the commerce in slaves on the Western, referred to by his Excel- lency, the Committee have already noticed the result of the inquiries which have been instituted. 14. The Committee doubt the expediency of the Government at any time undertaking the sole charge of immigration from Madagascar, of its establishing agents there, or despatching vessels to procure immigrants. At the same time it should establish such legulations as would prevent, as far as possible, abuses of any kind. 15. The Committee agree with his Excellency that the inimigrant, on landing, should be placed under the protector, and that measures should be adopted “ to ascertain that the labourers have been obtained in an unobjectionable manner, and that they have come entirely by their own free will and consent; that they should then be taken before a magistrate, as in the case of Indian immigrants, before whom contracts of service, not exceeding three years, will be made between them and their employers.” After which the interference of the protector should cease. The immigrants will become free labourers, unshackled, as well as the colony with regard to them, by the regulations affecting immi- grants from India, regulations which, the Committee can never cease to assert, benefit the immigrants much less than they injure the colony. 15. The Committee doubt the advantage, and even the practicability, of sending a Govern- ment agent in each ship employed to bring immigrants from Madagascar. But they would - - Suggest WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 199 suggest certain regulations, with regard to such ships, especially if any delay should occur in the dispatch of the proposed mission. They would recommend that every vessel which leaves this colony after the adoption of such regulations, or which was not dispatched before their publication, for the purpose of introducing immigrants from Madagascar, should be required to be licensed; that the maximum number which she be allowed to carry should be fixed, after a survey by the harbour master; and that the captain should enter into a bond of moderate amount to comply with such conditions and regulations with regard to the recruiting of the immigrants, and their treatment during the passage, as the Governments shall establish to prevent abuses, and the risk of a consequent stoppage of the immigration. . 16. With regard to wages, to which subject his Excellency has particularly called the attention of the Committee, they are of opinion that the Government should interfere as little as possible. It is not in the interest of the colony that Malgache immigrants should find themselves worse off than Indian immigrants, or any portion of that class of the popula- tion to which they will belong; and the Malgaches are usually very keen with respect to wages and money matters generally. The best and simplest course seems to be, to enact that no agreement as to wages, made out of the colony, shall be binding. 17. One point remains for consideration; the assistance to be given by the Government to this immigration carried on by private parties. If the Government do not interfere, and allow the parties who introduce them to make their own bargains with employers, the immi- grants will have no choice of their masters, and the competition for their services may lead to extravagant charges upon the planters, as happened in 1843–44, before the Government took upon itself the entire management of the immigration from India. And inasmuch as the introduction of labourers from Madagascar, if it take place to any extent, will diminish in a corresponding ratio the demand for a supply from India, and the consequent burthen upon the public, it would seem desirable to pay a bounty for their introduction, which should be repaid by the parties engaging them; the amount not to exceed in any case the average cost of introducing labourers from India, and to be calculated upon the actual probable cost of their introduction, holding out some additional encouragement for the introduction of women and families. Until the Government has the means of ascertaining this cost, it might be arranged that the employer should pay through the hands of the Government the amount demanded by the party who introduced the immigrants. 18. The Committee trust that they have not overlooked any point upon which his Excel- lency has requested their opinion, or desired information. (signed) Rawson W. Rawson, Council Chamber, 17 April 1851. - President. — No. 11. — (No. 40.) Copy of a DESPATCH from-Governor Stevenson to the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. Mauritius, 23 December 1857. Sir, (Received, 22 February 1858.) I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, dated the 5th October, No. 37, giving cover to a communication from the Foreign Office, relative to an outrage committed on board the bark “Joker,” and again calling for explanation of the fact that emigrants were being embarked on board that vessel, so lately as the month of May last, although my predecessor had stated, in his Despatch, No. 175, of the 14th October 1856, that he had issued a pro- clamation prohibiting Malagash immigration. 2. You have already been apprised, by my Despatch, No. 19, of the 3d No- vember, of which a duplicate is transmitted by this packet, that the commander of the “Joker” received his license before your instructions, for the suspension of Malagash immigration, reached the local Government, and, consequently, before the issue of Sir James Higginson's prohibitory proclamation ; it only remains for me, therefore, to state that, by the terms of Captain Aps' license, he was authorised to make a voyage to Madagascar, the Comoro Islands, Zanzibar, and any other ports or places, on the coast of Africa, where there is a resident British agent, and thence to convey Malagasy, or other immigrants, to Port Louis, or the Seychelles Islands, for the purpose of being hired as labourers in this colony. 3. His license then was still in force in the month of May last, as he had not returned to Mauritius, and had, therefore, not completed his voyage, but he was acting in contravention of the conditions upon which that license was granted, in attempting to procure immigrants against their will. O. 1 3. D D 4 4. As MAURITIUS. *=sººre No. 1 1. Governor Steven- son, to the Right Hon. H. Labou- chere, M.P. 23 December 1857. 2OO PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. * Page 283. No. 12. Governor Steven- son, to the Right Hon. H. Labou- chere, M.P. 13 January 1858. 4. As I observe that, by my predecessor's Despatch, No. 26, of the 6th February 1856, you have already been furnished with six copies of the form of license alluded to, it appears unnecessary to have it reprinted for the purpose of trans- mitting some additional copies herewith. . I have, &c. (signed) H'illiam Stevenson. P. S.–Since writing the above, I have had the honour to receive your Despatch, No. 58," of 22d October, on the same subject, your instructions in which shall be attended to. 5 January 1858. — No. 12. — (No. 19.) CoPY of a DESPATCH from Governor Stevenson to the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. - Mauritius, 13 January 1858. Sir, (Received 5 April 1858.) I HAVE the honour to transmit, for your information, a copy of a petition which I lately received from a person of the name of William Ferrier, in which, while disclosing the circumstances connected with his own case, he mentions others which ought properly to be made known to the Government, as they have reference to the stratagems that appear to be used for entrapping the ignorant natives of some of the islands of the Pacific, which, I believe, are in the posses- sion of the English, and within Her Majesty’s dominions, into service in the island of Bourbon. - 2. That petition I placed, for the purpose of investigation, in the hands of the Sub-Procureur General, a copy of whose opinion I enclose, as well as copies of the depositions or voluntary statements made, in the course of such investiga- tion, by Ferrier and other passengers on board Captain Wilson's ships. 3. I also transmit a copy of a letter from Monsieur Manés, “le Directeur de l'Intérieur,” of the island of Bourbon, and a copy of a charter-party, which seems to have resulted from the permission granted by such letter; both of which documents Captain Wilson, when informed of the petitioner's application, put in, as his exculpation, as the Procureur General states; and, in order to show that he was simply the irresponsible servant of the charterer, whose agent or supercargo, Sanctioned by the French Government, was on board. 4. These documents appear to show that, for the purpose of making the first attempt at procuring immigrants from the islands of the Pacific, for the service of the island of Bourbon, an authority was given, under certain restrictions which are contained in the letter from the Director of the Interior, of the 27th October 1856; one of which restrictions is, that there should be an agent of the Govern- ment on board, who should take care that the immigrants clearly comprehended the nature of the service in which they were to embark; which duty, if faith- fully performed, might be followed by no improper consequences, but which, if entrusted to an interested and designing person, might be very fatally exercised. 5. It would appear that, in pursuance of this permission, the charter-party of the 15th May last was entered into at Sydney, and no doubt the “John d’Al- magne,” who is named in that charter-party, is the person who was fixed upon as the “ délégué,” or responsible person, by whom this especial duty of supervi- Sion was to be performed on the part of the French Government. 6. How he performed that duty is best made known by the statements of Ferrier, and the other persons who have made their voluntary depositions; and it would appear from those statements, if true, which I have no reason to doubt, that under colour of French Government authority, but wholly in defiance of its conditions, a nefarious traffic has been commenced by these designing people for the purpose of entrapping some of the ignorant natives of those islands into a Service wholly foreign to their habits and pursuits, and of the intention to draw them into which they appear to have been kept in perfect ignorance up to the moment WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 2O moment of their being landed at the Island of Bourbon, and engaged to the MAURITIUs. planters, at a price, as labourers there. tº-e 7. Beyond receiving the statements of Ferrier and his companions, I have no means, of course, of ascertaining the truth or falsehood of these remarkable proceedings, but I have no reason to doubt their correctness; and there is a general correspondence in the statements of all the witnesses, which helps to confirm those of Ferrier, who acted as interpreter, and who, therefore, best knows what representations he made to the natives by desire of the commander or the “ délégué.” 8. At the same time I have no reason whatever to believe that the Govern- ment of the island of Bourbon can have had the slightest suspicion that such frauds had been practised upon them, and such improper use made of their authority. And, no doubt, that Government will be glad of the opportunity of investigating this matter, and preventing for the future any such designing evasions of their Government regulations on the subject of immigration. 9. These disclosures will serve to show to the French Government the danger of embarking in this new field of distant migration, without assuring them- selves of the fidelity of persons who profess to act as their agents; for, however anxious that Government may be to preserve their regulations as to immigra- tion in their perfect integrity, wherever the sources of migration may be; yet, if the delegation be entrusted to inferior persons, who are to employ still inferior agents under them, the mischief that may result from the mistaken employment of designing agents might draw more discredit upon their Government regula- tions than they deserve to bear. 10. With these few remarks upon this ex-parte case, I transmit the documents in question, and I have only to add that, in accordance with the suggestions of the Procureur-General, I have transmitted copies of the documents, through the Colonial Secretary to the Secretary of the Government at Sydney, in order that any precautions may be used there, through the French consul or otherwise, for arresting the further abuse of the authority which seems to have been given by the French Government. - + I have, &c. z (signed) William Stevenson. P.S.—I have considered it right to communicate these circumstances to the Governor of Bourbon, in a letter of which the enclosed is a copy, in order that he may make any investigation into the matter that he may think proper, pre- *. paratory to any diplomatic inquiries that may be made on the subject, and in the ºg hope that he may take the opportunity of putting an end to such improper traffic in labour, and of making an example of those who may have betrayed the confi- dence of his government; and I have also personally informed the French consul of the facts, and of my intention to communicate them to the Governor of Réunion. There has not yet been time for me to receive a reply from the Governor; when received it shall be forwarded. (signed) W. Stevenson. Enclosure 1, in No. 12. Encl. 1, in No. 12. To His Excellency William Stevenson, Esq., Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Mauritius and Dependencies, &c. &c. &c. Your Excellency, THE humble petition of William Ferrier, late of Byron's Island, now of Port Louis, respectfully Showeth, THAT, on or about the month of August last, Captain Joseph Wilson, of the English barque “Sutton,” called at Byron's Island, where your petitioner and his family resided since 16 years, and induced your petitioner to ship himself on board the said barque as interpreter, to the effect of enabling him, the said Captain J. Wilson, to gather cocoanuts from all the neighbouring islets. 2. That, with petitioner, the said captain took on board his said barque six natives of the said Byron's Island, composing the crew of your petitioner's canoe. 3. That it was only to be serviceable to Captain Wilson, that petitioner, with his crew, consented so to embark on board the barque “Sutton.” 4. That the express condition and agreement made with the said Captain Wilson were that, as soon as he would have effected his object, to wit, of gathering cocoanuts, he would land your petitioner and his crew on the said Byron's Island. 5. That, at Pern and Clark's Island, the said J. Wilson induced about 65 male natives to . O. 13. E E ship 202 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. Encl. 2, in No. 12. Encl. 3, in No. 12, ship themselves on board the “Sutton” for the same object as above, and, under the express condition to land them back on their respective islands in a short time. 6. That, instead of acting up to such agreement, the said captain made for Mauritius, where we arrived last month, and again made for Bourbon, in 24 hours. 7. That, on our passage out to Mauritius, petitioner strongly remonstrated against the ca p- tain's conduct, whereupon he tried to hush up the matter, made petitioner drink liquors, and when he was almost insensibie, caused him to sign his articles as steward and seaman. The chief of his crew resisted all the captain's efforts to make him sign the said articles. 8. That, on our arrival at Bourbon, the said Captain Wilson landed the said 65 natives, who were engaged to certain planters for the consideration of 40 l. a head, and sold the said English barque “Sutton” for 1,600 l., as petitioner was told. - 9. That your petitioner having applied to the said Captain Wilson for his maintenance at Port Louis, his passage back, board, and lodging, from this Colony to Byron's Island, and for a compensation for the trouble and misery he has subjeeted your petitioner to, the said Captain Wiison flatly declined to afford any redress to your petitioner. 10. That, having applied to the marine magistrate of Port Louis, he has raised doubts on the power he has to entertain your petitioner's case, and ultimately refused to admit your petitioner to sue in formá pauperis, - - 11. That your petitioner, being altogether destitute at Mauritius, where he lives on charity, has not therefore been able to enter his complaint against Captain Wilson. - 12. Wherefore your humble petitioner craves your Excellency’s interference in this case to have redress against the said Captain Wilson, tº And your petitioner, as in duty, will ever pray. |Port Louis, (signed) William Ferrier. 8 December 1857. - - Enclosure 2, in No. 12. Assu MING the facts stated in this petition to be true, I do not think that the master of the barque “Sutton” (Wilson) has rendered himself in any way amenable to criminal pro- ceedings here. It is not a case of slave dealing; it is at most a case of engaging men to labour under representations false and fraudulent, both as to the place where the labour was to be performed and as to the duration of the term of engagement. But it would rather appear from the charterparty of the ship (a copy of which is produced by Wilson in his exculpation) that he merely chartered the ship to a third party, at whose risk the speculation was carried on, and it is clear that the whole proceeding was sanctioned by the Government of Reunion. As regards Ferrier's individual case, it appears that, in fact, he signed the ship's articles, whatever may be the truth as to his condition at the time when he so signed the articles; he appears to have subsequently received his pay in full when the ship was paid off and sold at Reunion, and that he was, along with a part of the crew, sent on here free of expense by Wilson. I do not think, therefore, that he has made out any case for the interference of the Government; his remedy, if any, is by civil action againt Wilson. It would, I think, be advisable to send a copy of this complaint and of the evidence which has been taken to the New South Wales Government. It may be that they may find means to prevent a recurrence of such abuses. (signed) Sholto James Douglas, 5 January 1858. S. P. and Advocate General. Enclosure 3, in No. 12. WILLIAM FERRIER. HAS resided on Byron's Island (King's Mills Group, on the line, north-east of Australia.) Has been there 16 years. Captain Wilson, of English barque “Sutton,” arrived at Byron's Island in August last. He engaged me as an interpreter to procure natives for him. He was to go about amongst the islands, to procure his complement of men, and to return in three days to Byron's Island to land me. An American, named William Meadows, who was also residing on Byron's Island, came on board also, in the same boat with me. We both went on shore again; I went to tell my family that I should be absent for a few days. We embarked after this willingly, I as interpreter, and Meadows worked on board as seaman. Some 12 natives of Byron's Island came on board, and went below of their own accord, No one asked them to come on board, or to remain on board No one prevented their landing again. I believe that they were under the impression that the ship would return again in three days, as they had heard me tell my family so, when ashore. The “Sutton” left Byron's Island in the evening of the day that she arrived, thus taking away myself, Meadows, and about a dozen natives. We sailed for Pirhoot Island, one of the same group, distant 28 miles from Byron's Island. We arrived there next morning. A lot of natives came off in canoes. By the captain's desire I spoke to the natives, an. - Whether e- WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS, 203 whether any of them were willing to come to make cocoa-nut, oil for the captain, on an island a short distance to the west. I told them that the captain would bring them back in 10 or 12 months at the furthest; that they would be paid 1 lb. of tobacco or 1 dollar per month for their trouble. About 20 natives embarked willingly, and we sailed that night. We arrived next morning at Clarke's Island, one of the same group, about 40 miles west of Pirhoot. I spoke to the natives there as I had done at Pirhoot. About 20 natives em- barked at Clarke's Island on the same promises as had been made to the natives of Pirhoot. We sailed same evening to southward, the captain saying he was going to take me back to my island. We beat for 24 hours against contrary winds and currents, and the captain then said he could not spare any more time to take me back, and he stood to the west for about four or five days, when we reached the Solomon's Group of Islands. The men of King's Mill Group had been accustomed to ship, as they did on the “ Sutton,” for the purpose of making cocoa-nut oil. It was usual to bring them back again. There was a Frenchman on board the “Sutton,” called Captain Dumaine; he heard all that the Captain told me to say to the natives. The King's Mill Group belong to the British Government. There is no Government officer on any of the islands. The men were not confined on board. They were well treated. Besides the captain and Captain Dumaine, there were two mates, a carpenter, and six seamen besides myself and the Yankee. The crew had each of them a cutlass. The officers of the ship had each a musket. Two muskets were put in the cabin that was occupied by the Yankee and myself. The captain gave them to us to be used in case of the natives rising. There were plenty of muskets, cutlasses, carpenter's axes, adzes, and gunpowder in canister in the captain's state room. He said that these were to purchase ponies in Torres Straits. There were two swivels mounted at the quarter of the ship. Before arriving at the Solomon's Group, the captain said that I must sign articles, as he was afraid of falling in with a man-of- war. I do not know whether he asked the Yankee to sign articles. I refused to sign articles, and asked him to take me back to Byron's Island according to promise. He asked me to go with him, as interpreter, to the island where he was to make cocoa-nut oil. He never told me the name of the island. I said I would go if he would touch at Byron's Island, and let me take my children. He asked me repeatedly to sign articles, and I re- fused; but one morning Captain Dumaine having given me two tumblers of rum to drink, the captain induced me to sign. The captain asked the natives who had embarked to sign articles to work for 10 or 12 months making cocoa-nut oil. Captain Dumaine was present. I acted as interpreter. He said to me that if he fell in with a man-of-war and the men had not signed these articles, he might be taken to be a slaver. The natives all touched the captain's pen by way of signing. I explained to the men, by the captain's order, what they were signing. I told them it was an engagement to work for 10 or 12 months at the ut- most, making oil; at the end of which time they were to be taken back to the places from whence they came. I was engaged as interpreter, steward, and seaman. I was to have 5 l, a month. The natives were to have 1 lb. tobacco, or one dollar a month. This took place on the morning that I had been drinking, and in the presence of Captain Dumaine. It occurred after we had left King's Mill Group, and just before arriving at Solomon's Group, whilst out of sight of land. I did not read the articles or engagement which was signed. I cannot read very well. I was not offered the perusal of them. We arrived at Solomon's Group about six days after leaving King's Mill Group. We stopped there six days cruizing about amongst the different islands. We took 12 natives from two islands. I could not speak the language of the islanders. I do not think that any one on board could speak their language. The captain landed here two men belonging to Clarke's Island and Pirhoot. He landed them because they were insubordinate. They regretted having left their native islands, and they told the other natives that they intended to kill the captain and me; one of them was arrested as he was coming aft with a knife in his hand. I do not know what he was going to do with the knife, but the natives told me that he was going to kill us. Some of the natives caught hold of him, and he stabbed one of them with his knife. Both these men were made fast and kept below with the others until we reached the Solomon's Group, where they were landed. The other natives could have released them if they had chosen, as they were at first made fast with cord. They were afterwards made fast with a chain and padlock. The men who were taken on board at Solomon's Group appeared to embark of their own free-will. I did not see any force used. The captain went ashore at the Solomon's Group to look for copper, but did not find any. We sailed for Torres Straits. The captain tried to procure ponies at one of the islands there, in exchange for muskets, powder, and axes, &c. &c., but he could not succeed. He only got one poney and one buffalo. From there we came straight to Mauritius, where we anchored outside the Bell Buoy for a day, after which we proceeded to Bourbon. About 60 natives were landed and left at Bourbon. I heard ashore that they were engaged for five years, and that the captain got 40 l. a head for them. The ship was sold there, and the crew paid off and discharged... I got about 22 l. The captain paid the passage of myself and crew up to Mauritius. Six of the natives who embarked with me from the same canoe at Byron's Island, on the promise of being sent back in three days, were also sent up here. The captain has found a passage for the Yankee, and for these six natives to go back again, whether to Sydney or Byron's Island I do not know. (signed) William Ferrier. O. 13. # E E 2 MAURITIUS. *mºn-me 20. PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. gººms- WILLIAM HENRY MEADOWS. I have been resident on Byron's Island for about 16 months. On 12th August last the English barque “Sutton,” Captain Wilson, arrived there. I went off to her with Ferrier. Captain Wilson asked me if I could procure him some natives to make cocoa-nut oil for 10 months, on an island to the westward. He would not tell me what island, saying he did not wish to let every one know his business. He promised to land Ferrier and myself as well as six natives who came off in the canoe with us, in three days’ time on the place from whence we came. We procured 15 natives from Byron's Island (not including my boat's crew). They were told that they were to go and make cocoa-nut oil on an island, and were to be brought back to Byron's Island in 10 months. We went to Pirhoot and got 16 or 17 men there in the same manner and upon the same promises. From thence we went to Clarke's Island, where we got 13 or 14 men in a similar manner. All these men came on board willingly upon hearing the terms of the agreement. Ferrier and myself acted as in- terpreters, and translated what Captain Wilson and Captain Dumaine told us to say. I do not know what was Captain Dumaine's business on board, but he seemed to be much the same as the captain of the ship. On leaving Clarke's Island, Captain Wilson tried to go back to Byron's Island, for the purpose, as he said, of landing Ferrier, myself, and my boat's crew. He beat for two days against a head wind and strong current; he then told me that he could not put me back on Byron's Island, as the wind was against us, and said I had better come on with him. I asked where he was going. He then said he was going first to look for some copper, of which he showed me samples, and that if he did not find any copper he would go and make cocoa-nut oil as he had told me before. I persisted in asking to be put back on Byron's Island. The captain, however, bore away to west, Byron's Island then being to east of our position. The captain shortly after asked me to sign articles. I positively refused. I believe that Ferrier did sign articles one morn- ing when he was half drunk. The captain, to my knowledge, had given Ferrier some drink on this occasion. All the natives, with the exception of my boat's crew, were induced to sign by touching the captain's pen in a large book; Captain Dumaine was then present. I do not know what they signed. I had been asleep, but woke up, and came into the cabin in time to see the last eight or ten sign. I asked what they had been made to sign, and got an evasive answer. I then told my boat's crew not to sign, and they did not do so. The captain said if we did not all sign he might get into trouble in the event of falling in with a man-of-war. Two of the natives became quite crazy when they found that they were being taken away altogether from their native country; they became violent, and it was found necessary to make them fast. None of the others were confined in any way or ill- treated. There were quantities of arms in the cabin and state room, about 30 or 40 loaded muskets, two swivels on the ship's quarters, and the crew had each man a cutlass. The captain said to me one day, there is a musket a piece for you and Ferrier, pointing to two in the cabin. I told him I did not want them. There were plenty of axes in cases, also a case of muskets. There were cutlasses and pistols in the cabin. I do not know what they were for. We went to the Solomon's Group. Captain Dumaine, the mate, a boat's crew, and some 10 natives landed, and went to search for copper. They came off in the afternoon without any copper, saying, that they had been afraid to go into the interior, as they had been sur- rounded by natives. We took on board 13 natives at this group; some of these natives could speak a word or two of English. None of us could speak, their language. The captain conversed with them by signs, and gave them pipes and tobacco. They appeared to embark willingly. Captain Dumaine spoke to them; he appeared to understand a word or two of their tongue. We landed with two crazy men at this group, and sailed for Torres Strait. The captain tried to purchase ponies at some of the islands, in exchange for muskets, powder, &c., but could not succeed. When the captain was bargaining at Sabre Island with a man for ponies, he said he should want two men for each poney, to take care of them. The man answered, that one man was enough to take care of two ponies. The captain got one poney and a bullock; that was all he got. He sailed for Mauritius, where he arrived in October last. He anchored outside for seven hours, and then went to Bourbon, where he landed all the natives, except my boat's crew, He wanted to dispose of my boat's crew, but I told him I would get him hung if he did. When the doctor came off at Bourbon I told him the circumstances under which the natives had been embarked. The captain told the doctor not to listen to me, as I was drunk. I heard that the natives were engaged for five years, and that the captain got 40 l. a head for them. The ship was sold at i5urbon, and the crew paid off, and sent up to Mauritius. I received 20 l. as soon as I landed here. I went to the American consul, and told him everything. He gave me a letter to Mr. Slade. I went to Mr. Slade, and asked that I and my boat's crew might be sent back to Byron's Island, and that the captain might be made to pay me damages for having taken me away. I said I wished to bring this matter before a magistrate, Mr. Slade told me in the captain's presence that the captain was willing to compromise the matter, and recom- mended me to accept a compromise, as law business was very uncertain, and I might be detained here by legal proceedings for a long time. The captain did not speak to me. The compromise offered was, that the board in this island of myself and boat's crew should be paid; that a passage should be found for us to Sydney, and from thence to Byron's Island; that all our expenses at Sydney should be paid, and that 6 l. should be paid me. . Mr. Slade wrote out three or four documents that I refused to sign. He drew up a fourth one, which I signed. There were some blanks left in the paper, which I signed. The draft of an agreement was read to me, which I agreed to. 'I he copy which I produce, and which . I signed, WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 205 I signed, was never read to me. I signed it in presence of my consul. My boat's crew have been put on board the barque “Fernand,” to be taken to Sydney. This vessel is advertised to go to Singapore; she is going to Sydney. I was told that my passage was paid on board the “Fernand.” I went of board this vessel yesterday, and the mate said he knew nothing about the matter. - f CHRISTIERN MILLER (a Dane), late A.B. on the Barque “Sutton.” THE barque “Sutton” took natives as passengers from some islands of the King's Mill Group. Ferrier was interpreter, also the American (Meadows). I do not know what instructions were given to the interpreters by the captain, or Mr. Delmayne. I do not know what the interpreters told the natives. It was talked of amongst the crew that we were going to the westward to make cocoa-nut oil, and that the natives were engaged to work there for 10 months. I do not know whether the captain said anything of the kind. I never heard either him or Mr. Delmayne say so. The natives were well treated on board, and appeared happy and contented as far as I could judge, not knowing their language. Two of them went mad during the voyage, and it was necessary to make them fast. The captain landed them on two different islands; one of the islands was New Georgia. I do not recollect the name of the other island. I do not know that the natives signed any agreement. I very seldom went into the cabin, as my business was forward. I did not know until after I had arrived at Bourbon that Ferrier was borne on the ship's articles. I do not know when he signed the articles. I never heard that the captain was afraid of meeting with a ship of war. I do not think that the natives were taken away against their will. - (signed) Christiern Miller. JoHN THOMPSON, late carpenter on board the “Sutton,” was examined by me on board the “Blue Rock,” a vessel now in the harbour, in which he has shipped as carpenter. He corroborated the foregoing statements in most of the particulars. He says that he managed to pick up some words of the language spoken by the natives, and that he is convinced that they did not know where they were being taken to. They said that they were to be taken back in 12 months. He believes that Ferrier knew perfectly well where the men were to be taken to, but cannot say what he told them. The natives all, with the exception of the boat's crew of the American (Meadows), signed in an emigration printed book, which was put on board on purpose. This man at first was not disposed to give any information, unless he knew whether it was to be used for or against Captain Wilson. On my telling him that he would be summoned before a magistrate, and compelled to state what he knew, he gave me the above information. º Charles Wilkie, late seaman on board the “ Sutton,” now on board the “Blue Rock,” does not know what promises were held out to the natives, nor where the ship was going. He confirms the story told by the other witnesses in nearly every other particular. - (signed) W. H. Marsh, 16 December 1857. - Crown Solicitor. Fnclosure 4, in No. 12. Sir, x St. Denis, 27 October 1856. IN answer to your inquiries, I have the honour to inform you that the Administration authorises you to make a trial of introducing into Réunion labourers recruited at Islands in the Pacific Ocean. You represent that not being sufficiently sure as to the result of such trial, to be enabled to charter vessels here, you wish the right being accorded you of employing foreign bot- toms, to be chartered on the spot for a first and second voyage. Such authorisation is also granted you, with the proviso that you will come to an under- standing with the Consul of France at Sydney for the regularity of your operations, and particularly with regard to the selection of a delegate, whose presence on board is obligatory. The fundamental conditions imposed on immigration by the legislation ruling that matter are as follows: That, besides the obligation of placing a delegate of the Administration on board, the labourers must be in a state of freedom at the place where they are being recruited; that they have a full knowledge of the clauses and conditions of the contracts of service they are called to enter upon, and that they fully and voluntarily consent to accept the same. The Administration writes to the Consul a letter with this purport and meaning, request- ing him, for the good of the colony, to facilitate the success of this enterprise. Accept the assurance of my distinguished regard. - (signed) Ed. Manès, A Monsieur Chateau, St. Denis. Directeur de l'Intérieur. --sºme O. 1 3. E E 3 MAURITIUS. ſºmºmºm. Encl. 4, in No. 12. 2O6 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. Encl. 5, in No. 12. Encl. 6, in No. 12. Enclosure 5, in No. 12. CHARTER PARTY. Sydney, 15 May 1857. IT is this day mutually agreed between Joseph Wilson, master of the ship “Sutton,” of Sydney, burthen per register 282 tons, now lying in Sydney Cove, and Didier Nerina Foubert, that the said ship being tight, staunch, and strong, and every way fitted for the voyage, shall with all convenient speed proceed to the South Sea Islands, and there receive on board as many male and female immigrants as shall be engaged by Mr. John Dalmayne, who proceeds in the said ship cabin passenger free of expenses. The number of immigrants not to exceed in all 370, not exceeding what she can reasonably stow and carry, over and above her tackle, apparel, provisions, water, and furniture, and exclusive of the poop or cabins, which shall remain for the use and benefit of the captain and owners. The said Joseph Wilson to provide all necessary dunnage and ballast; and being so loaded, shall there with proceed to the port of St. Denis, Island of Réunion (Bourbon), or so near thereto as she may safely get, and deliver the same, on being paid freight, as follows: The sum of 3,000 l. Sterling per calendar month, from the 1st day of June 1857, until the day of the delivery of the said immigrants at St. Denis: the said freight to be paid in cash, free of commission or interest, 15 days after the delivery of the immigrants; the act of God, the Queen's enemies, fire, and all and every other dangers and accidents of the seas, rivers, and navigation, of what nature, and kind soever, during the said voyage always excepted. The freight to be paid on unloading and delivery of the cargo. - The charterer to supply the provision water and water-casks for the immigrants. In default of the freight being paid, as above specified, demurrage beyond that time to be paid by the charterer, 8 l. Sterling per running day. Penalty for non-performance of this agreement 1,000 l. Sterling. Enclosure 6, in No. 12. Monsieur le Gouverneur, Reduit, Mauritius, 28 January 1858. I HAVE the honour to bring to your notice a circumstance which has lately been brought to mine by the documents which I enclose for your perusal, connected with the mode in which Indians from the islands of the Pacific have recently been introduced as labourers into the Island of Réunion. 2. I lately received a petition, of which the enclosed is a copy, from a person of the name of William Ferrier, a British subject resident in Byron's Island, in which he com- plained of a fraud that had been practised upon him by a person of the name of Wilson, who commanded a small vessel which traded for labourers among those islands; and in stating his case, he made allusion to the manner in which some of the natives of those islands had been entrapped into that vessel, under false pretences, and afterwards conveyed to Réunion as labourers. 3. Upon receiving that petition, I directed a further investigation into the subject, as it fortunately happened that, besides Ferrier, Wilson himself, and some of the sailors of his ship, were in this island, and the information that they gave is contained in the examina- tions, of which I enclose copies, and to which I request your attention. 4. In the course of inquiries which were made of Wilson on the subject, he disallowed all responsibility in the matter, and, to exculpate himself, he delivered a copy of a letter from Monsieur Manés, “le Directeur de l’Intérieur” of your island, to M. Chateau, of St. Denis, authorising the embarkation in this new field of immigration; and also a copy of a charter party, entered into at Sydney, in pursuance of the authority given by such letter. The “George Dalmayne, ’’ therein named, being, I assume, the authorised délégué of your Government, I beg to send you copies of these two documents. 5. You will perceive, on perusal of these papers, that under false representations with regard to their destination, and the object of their engagement, conveyed to the men through the interpretation of Ferrier, by direction of Wilson, and with the acquiescence of Dalmayne, a considerable number of ignorant natives of certain islands of the Pacific, within Her Britannic Majesty's dominions, were induced to embark for the pretended purpose of gathering cocoa nuts on the neighbouring islands, and under the promise of being taken back to their own homes within 12 months; whereas, in point of fact, the object really was to convey them to Réunion, where, according to the statements of these witnesses, their services have been distributed among the planters for money; and the documents furnished by Wilson show that all this was apparently done under the sanction of your Government, although I have every reason to conclude that it was so done in disobedience to your instructions. 6. I have felt it my duty to transmit copies of these documents to Her Majesty's Government, by whom some inquiries will, no doubt, be made with reference to their Comtents. t - 7. But WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 207 7. But I think it equally due to you that I should transmit the same information to yourself, in order that, while the transaction is fresh, you may have an opportunity of directing any investigation into the matter that you may think proper. 8. If the statements of these men prove to be true, which I have no reason to doubt, I am sure you will regret as much as I do that any Wrong use should have been made by the subordinate agents of your Government of the licence conceded by your Minister's official letter of the 27th October, under which, subject to certain very proper restrictions, permission appears to have been given to make trial of this entirely new field of immi- gration. . 9. I have no other object in making you this communication than to enable you...Without delay, to make any further inquiries about the matter that you may think advisable, pre- paratory to any information that you may be asked by-and-by to furnish; and I have no doubt that you will avail yourself of the occasion of preventing any possible recurrence of such practices for the future. With every assurance of my high esteem and consideration, I have, &c. (signed) William Stevenson. To his Excellency the Governor of Bourbon, or Officer administering the Government. — No. 13. -- (No. 22.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Stevenson to the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M.P., &c. &c. Mauritius, 30 January 1858. - a (Received, 5 April 1858.) Sir, (Answered, No. 47, 26 July 1858, p. 288.) I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your Despatch, No. 53*, of the 17th Octo- ber, conveying Her Majesty's confirmation of the Ordinance No. 22 of 1857f, and instructing me to forward a copy of the Memorandum of the Protector of Immi- grants, required by Sir Frederic Rogers' report upon that Ordinance, and which, it appears, was omitted to be forwarded with my predecessor's Despatch of the 12th August, but is now transmitted, according to your desire. 2. In pursuance of your instructions, I have proclaimed the confirmation of that law, without noticing for the present, as suggested by Sir Frederic Rogers, the point of difference between my predecessor and the Board of Agriculture, upon the subject of some of the clauses which provide for the reimbursement, to an immigrant’s first employer, of a portion of the expense of importation, in case of his not retaining the immigrant's services during the whole period of his indus- trial residence. I shall, however, keep that point in view while watching the operation of the law, and if any amendments are found necessary, they can easily be made when the proper time arrives. 3. There appears to me to be much reason in the claims of the planters to such reimbursement, where they are disappointed of the immigrants’ continuing ser- vices during the five years of industrial residence, and where, after full payment of the whole expense of importation, those services are transferred to others. 4. Where immigrants are imported, and their expenses paid by the Govern- ment, there is an implied reciprocal obligation between the Government and the immigrant, that, on the one hand, the Government will provide profitable employ- ment during the five years of industrial residence; and, on the other hand, that the immigrant will give his industrial services, for agricultural purposes or other- wise, during those five years. While, therefore, the immigrant has a right to be provided with such employment, there arises, on the part of the Government, a lien upon his services during his industrial residence. 5. And if a planter employs an immigrant from the depôt, and pays the full expense of his importation, it appears to me that he thereby stands in the place of the Government, and acquires a lien upon the services of the immigrant during those five years; so that if, at the end of any first contract of shorter duration, O.13. f E E 4 the * MAURITIUS. ** as No. 13. Governor Steven- son to the Right Hon. H. La- bouchere, M P. 30 January 1858. * Page 271. + Vide Appendix, Page 335. - Enclo 208 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS, ºsmºsºme 2. N acoº © —º * - the immigrant should transfer the remainder of his industrial service to a new employer, the first employer should not only be entitled to the stamp duty appli- cable to the second contract, but to so much beyond it as would equal the rate- able, but easily ascertained, proportion of the expense which he had in the first instance paid, with reference to the duration of the whole industrial residence. 6. And so also ought the second employer to have the same lien and right of resort against any subsequent employer for a rateable return of the money which he had been called upon to refund. To some such effect as this, amendments may by-and-by be made if pressed for by the plauters. 7. Indeed, I think it would be wholly unobjectionable if, under this law, the contracts were permitted to be for the entire five years of industrial residence, as has been often desired by the planters, provided they be entered into at the entire option and free consent of the immigrants, and be determinable at any time after the second or third year, upon two or three months’ notice on either side ; in which case the only formality would be the transfer of the articles, through the intervention of a magistrate, to the new employer, who would be selected or accepted by the immigrant himself, and who would repay to the first employer such rateable portion of the immigrant's passage and expenses; and, in case of decided ill-treatment by the master, the contract might be cancelled, and the immigrant re-engaged, without any reimbursement to the employer. 8. If the five-years’ engagement be much pressed by the planters, and meet with your acquiescence, some such facilities for determining it might render it perfectly secure, and be very properly imposed for the protection of the immi- grant. At the same time, my conviction is, that very few, if any, of the immi- grants would enter into the five-years' engagement, as their predilections are decidedly favourable to short terms, and they far prefer contracts renewable year by year to those of longer duration. The fact, however, is that the deter- minable quality of the extended engagement I suggest reduces it, after the first two or three years, to a continuing contract for the period of notice only; a favourable condition which the Indian would soon know how to appreciate, and use to his advantage, if desired. - 9. The first step which I have taken in consequence of the confirmation of this law has been to authorise as free and full an importation of labour, sanctioned for this year by the laws, estimates, and regulations now in force as may be con- sistent with due precautions and security; because I am satisfied that, with the continuing and increasing demand for labour, and the abundant means the planters possess of paying a remunerating price for it, rather than jeopardise their crops by submitting to a deficiency, the best mode of alleviating the difficulties now prevailing with respect to newly arrived labourers, will be by augmenting their numbers as speedily as possible, and thereby to a greater degree equalising the supply with the demand. Until that is done, or some other means can be devised for securing to the planter the allotted labour that he requires, and which the law professes to give him, but practically fails to confer, the scenes of discord that result from the employment of recruiters, or rather the self-consti- tuted agency of crimps, and their undue influence, in many instances, over the Indians, and the struggles that take place at the depôt for securing the services of the immigrants, can never effectually be prevented. 10. The allusions made in the correspondence now under reply, and in the report of Sir Frederic Rogers, to the Ordinances No. 15 of 1854, and No. 12 of 1855, induce me to take the present opportunity of entering more at large into the subject of the much-vexed question that has been anxiously agitated here with reference to the introduction of the 6th clause of No. 12 of 1855, which gives the immigrant, on his arrival in this country, the full and free selection of his own employer, notwithstanding he may have been expressly engaged in India for the service of a particular planter, by whom the whole expense of his intro- duction has been fully defrayed. 11. And I shall do so with reference to a communication I have received from the Chamber of Agriculture, and another which I have since received from its sister society, the Chamber of Commerce; of both of which, as well as of my replies to those communications, I have the honour to enclose copies, to which -º- I shall presently more particularly refer. 12. But, WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 209 12. But, before doing so, I must premise that I have, for some time past, been much engaged in inquiries into the working of the immigration scheme, and the operation of the various Ordinances and Orders in Council which relate to the subject, with the view, in the first place, of rectifying the present objectionable mode of distributing and employing the immigrants on their first arrival; and in the next, of more satisfactorily adjusting the questions which constantly arise between them and their employers. 13. Upon the latter point I hope to be supplied with better machinery than is to be found at present for the wide field of duty that is to be exercised in the stipendiary courts when I obtain your sanction, which I have already asked, for the employment of a body of stipendiary magistrates, who are wholly unconnected with the district magistrates of the country. 14. Upon the former, namely, the distribution and first employment of new immigrants, I fear I shall find the existing difficulties likely to last as long as there remains so great a disparity between the supply and the demand of labour; and as long as the delusion lasts, that the new immigrants are wholly left to their own free selection, when the contrary fact unquestionably is, that they are subjugated to the designs and arrangements of the crimps and sirdars, who profit by their national peculiarities or credulities. 15. I have, however, been in frequent communication with the Protector, and have received, and am still receiving many long papers and explanations from him in connexion with that subject, as well as the various other branches of the intricate question of immigration, and explanatory of the earlier and more recent systems adopted by the Government, and of that which at present prevails. But all these inquiries are likely to occupy a considerable time; for it is difficult to arrive at facts, and to reconcile conflicting opinions where duties and interests are in some respects so antagonistic as they are necessarily found to be in this island, upon the subject of immigration and its details. 16. I am not, indeed, without hope that I shall be able to reconcile the prin- cipal difficulties which now surround the question, by availing myself of oppor- tunities of gradually introducing the improvements I expect to accomplish in the entire system ; and I place much reliance on the aid that will be furnished by the enlarged importation of labour under the newly sanctioned law of last year, which, while it gradually contributes an increasing supply to meet the pressing demands for labour, will, in the same ratio, reduce the numbers of “ middlemen’’ by the more limited encouragement they will receive from the planters. 17. But the present application from the “Agricultural ” and “Commercial ’’ Boards are upon a subject on which much anxiety has been shown by all the leading planters in the Colony, and which is also of considerable importance to the local Government itself in those departments of the service (viz., the roads and public works) which are entirely dependent upon regularly employed labour; and, therefore, I lose no time in bringing it to your consideration, although I do So reluctantly because I am aware that you have already expressed yourself opposed to that sort of engagement; but, nevertheless, I hope that, when I have contrasted the original grounds of objection with the present inducements, there will be no difficulty in yielding in some degree to the demands of the planters, and giving them a fair opportunity of trying the alternative methods of employ- ment, at the depôt of Mauritius and that of India, under the safe and proper restrictions that can be made to prevail in both cases. 18. At the first glance I could perceive no great object to be gained by the privilege of engaging labour in India, instead of submitting to the obligation of couvracting only in this country; for I was not aware that, under the prevailing system, by which it is attempted, though in vain, to secure to the immigrant the free choice of his employer, it would be impossible to allot to the planters their proper rateable proportions of the imported immigrants, and to transfer the allotted labourers to their employers in the manner in which they used to be allotted and transferred in other Colonies. But I have found here so many obstacles to any such arrangement, superinduced on the on the one hand by the demand for labour, which has led to every stratagem and expedient for procuring it through irregular and improper channels, and, on the other hand, by the capricious deter- mination of the immigrant to follow the selection that is made for him by the O. 13. F F Sirdar MAURITIUS. *=m, 2 I O 3. PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. sirdar, in preference to the more advantageous one recommended by the Govern- — ment, that it has been quite impossible to carry out that fair distribution of immi- grants which, under other circumstances, would be the best and most equitable mode of rateably adjusting the supply to the demand. 19. And when I explain all the difficulties that have presented themselves, I am sure you will perceive reasonable and hitherto unexplained grounds of dis- satisfaction on the part of the fair-dealing planter at the present restriction that is imposed on him, even if you do not find yourself in a position to authorise the remedy partially suggested by the accompanying communications from the agri- culturists and the planters. * 20. Those documents recount a great many of the obstacles to which I have alluded, and complain of the impossibility, while the present system lasts, of carrying out the spirit of the Ordinance No. 12 of 1855, which, although intended as a privilege to the planters who might desire to secure carefully selected labour for their service, contains, nevertheless, one clause (the sixth) which has always proved fatal to the operation of that law and destructive of all efforts to benefit by it; and, therefore, the planters have imagined themselves deluded by an appa- rently hopeful Ordinance, which authorises them to select and import their own immigrants, while, at the same time, it prohibits them from engaging those immi- grants under any binding contract until after their arrival in the country; the consequence of which has invariably been that, through the instrumentality of crimps and sirdars, artfully employed by others, or still more designingly acting for themselves, they have lost the services of those specially selected men whom .." expense they have imported, and who are enticed into the services of Othel'S. 21 For this there is no possible and effectual remedy while that sixth clause retains its place, and the per-centage, provided by way of compensation in the same clause, supplies no relief to a planter who, at a critical moment, finds his expected assistance snatched from him, and with no possibility of providing more, and the loss in such case is most destructive and disappointing. * 22. The great point that the planters wish to attain for the purpose of making that law at all available, under safe and proper restrictions, is that they may be permitted to engage those special services in India, and to contract there for their employment in this Colony; and after giving the subject my best consideration, I think that, under certain conditions and supervision, not only might those contracts be very safely and properly allowed under that particular law, but that such sanction would, with other methods which I have already, but very imper- fectly, begun to adopt, assist in destroying that system of middle agency which not only gives an unlawful profit to the crimp or sirdar, to the prejudice of both immigrant and planter, but originates the germ of what I predict will become a very serious affliction to the country, and to the agricultural population at large, if it be not effectually crushed before it gains much additional strength. 23. The Orders in Council which issued immediately after the emancipation of slaves, and which to a certain extent guide at the present day in the introduc- tion and regulation of labour, emphatically declared that no contract of service should be binding “unless made within the limits and upon the land of the Colony in which the same was to be performed.” 24. The great and very righteous intention of that clause is evident from the context and general object of the Orders in Council themselves, because while they struggled to regulate a fair system of dealing between masters who had been owners and men who had been slaves, they struggled equally to prohibit any future importation of labour that might have the least affinity to slavery, or that might not spring from the uncontrolled engagement of the free man on his own free soil. - v 25. When afterwards those rules were to some extent relaxed, and under the earlier system of immigration contracts in India for service in the colonies were permitted, but without imposing those necessary restrictions which would have rendered the permission safe, it was therefore, I fear, abused ; and great impru- dence was shown by those who imported those immigrants, by the incautious selection of agents, who in many cases appear to have forced men into engage- - mentS WEST INDIA. COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 21 ments where the Government control did not sufficiently prohibit them from MAURIT198. doing so, without first giving them the fullest explanations of the services they _ – were to give and the payment they were to receive ; and I think it may be taken for granted that great injury was thereby done to the cause of immigration, and that the Governments both of England and of India very properly raised their 'voices to prohibit such unrestricted engagements for the future. 26. But a middle course might well be adopted under which, while that un- licensed traffic in immigration might be absolutely prohibited, a fair and open contract, under Government supervision and restrictions, might be very properly permitted, particularly where it is found that the very prohibition which is in- tended to protect the immigrant, operates in very many respects greatly to his prejudice, and gives rise to a middle traffic which not only prejudices the im- migrant and taxes the planter now, but promises to subjugate the will of the former, and to destroy the powers and influence of the latter, in times to come. And it is to these points that I wish particularly to draw your attention. 27. The present arrangements at the Indian depôts are likely to give great satisfaction when all the improvements in contemplation are effectually carried out ; but those improvements will only tend to make the system more perfect so long as the immigrants remain in their own country, and before they begin to be practised on by the crimps who assail them after they leave India, and in the course of their passage to Mauritius. 28. It would not be at ail desirable to alter that system at the depôt otherwise than by continuing to accomplish its gradual improvement; for I think that a proper Government agency is the only safe medium through which any portion of the Indian population should be drawn into migration services in the colonies. 29. But attributing, as I do, that value to such a Government medium of arrangement, I should be disposed to concede to it equal efficacy as a medium of individual engagement in India, with the duty imposed upon it of communi- cating all terms and details, and of regulating all necessary restrictions as well as relaxations, which are to be obligatory here. 30. It is that safeguard on which I would rest the successful operation of the amendment which is now asked to the law, for the purpose of giving it operation; but of course the amendment would be permissive, not imperative, and it would be left to the full and free discretion of the intended immigrant either to com- plete his contract there, and come out an engaged servant under the law of 1855, or, at his option, to join the general party of emigrants imported for engagement here. 31. In condemning the unrestricted system of sirdar ships, and the unlicensed intervention of crimps and middlemen, I must premise by admitting that it appears to be the native habit of the Indian to act under the influence of a head or sirdar: a practice that seems to have sprung out of their village systems, and which, so far as those village systems are concerned, may be very proper. There- fore when it is found that villagers connect themselves while abroad with the sirdars or chiefs with whom they have already been connected at home, it is expedient to encourage rather than discourage that alliance, as it gives assurance and satisfaction, to the immigrant; and, generally speaking, the village sirdar is not the grasping man-broker that is the designing sirdar of the ship, but he is the friend of the Indian, and would be contented with the double rations and small gratification that such men always receive; but when once such influence is allowed to extend beyond its original limit, and unprincipled persons are found ready to act upon the Indian character, and by gross delusions constitute themselves their chiefs, and lead, or rather subdue, ther inclinations, the mischief begins, the abuse becomes flagrant, and its future consequences are easily foreseen. - - 32. It has invariably been found that every vessel which brings immigrants to this country brings, also a number of “old immigrants,” many of whom make it their trade to gain an ascendancy over the immigrants and induce them to engage under their banners and to enlist, so to speak, in their service; and, after their arrival here, they have so completely controlled the free will of those men, as to prevent them from engaging in any service that the Protector may O. 13. F F 2 Tecommend, 2) 3 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS, recommend, and to force them to engage in any services they may have negotiated for them, and which services are procured by bribes exacted, it is said, to an enormous amount from the planters, who are sometimes forced to grasp at labour at almost any price or sacrifice. - 33. These men are to be distinguished from the legitimate sirdars of the village, and are the well known and crafty crimps, who amass money at the expense of the planter and the sacrifice of the immigrant whose interests they pre- tend to serve ; and I am informed by the Protector of Immigrants, as well as by all others who have witnessed the scenes, that the struggles which take place at the depôt, on the part of those who wish the Indian to exercise his own free will, and on the part of others whose interest it is that they should succumb to the will of the wily sirdar, are often of a disgraceful character, and subversive of the good intentions of the Government; and therefore the freedom of choice which is intended to be given to the immigrant, and to be exercised within 48 hours after his arrival here, is completely neutralised or negatived by the entire subju- gation by which he has previously bound himself to the designing influence of his self-constituted leader. Such ideal freedom of choice is therefore a non- existent and unreal thing. 34. And yet, with all the care that can be taken, there seems to be no remedy for this; and there is no possibility of carrying out the allotment system as long the immigrant is instructed that he may make his supposed election, that is, the election of his sirdar, in opposition to that system ; wilile, at the same time, the very notion of free election is destroyed by the previous obligation to bind himself to the particular choice of his chief. 35. By careful arrangements and instructions, I may be able, by slow degrees, to accomplish an improvement in that respect ; but it is obvious that the difficulties cannot be entirely removed until the supply of labour has become to a greater degree equalised to the demand, when, of course, all these incentives to irre- gularity will be greatly if not altoget] er removed. 36. So far, therefore, as relates to the general importation of immigrants under the orders and regulations of the Government, it must be expected that those scenes of confusion and those acts oº illicit intervention by the sirdar must be tolerated, under a gradually palliated form, for some time to come ; but it is now with regard to the specially imported immigrants, under the law of 1855, that I wish the practice to be destroyed by placing it beyond the powers of the crimps to impose upon the credulity of the immigrants, and to draw them from the services for which they were specially selected; and the only way of accom- plishing that is to sanction their engagement in India undel careful restrictions at the depôt, and under corresponding scrutiny here. 37. And, indeed, I think that it must contribute to give these immigrants, who are morally though not legally engaged, a very false impression of the obli- gatory effect of these moral contracts, which they cannot fail to keep in mind when they embark in legal contracts also, when they find that, after having been specially hired and engaged in India, and imported into this country for the service of a particular master, they are at liberty, notwithstanding, to laugh at such engagement and to contract a new one, of the force of which they may naturally conceive the same contempt; and they may marvel at the rather anomalous reason which encourages them to break the one and coerces them to perſorm the other. 38. Moreover, I think that, where they find that the influence which is unduly acquired over them by the self-constituted sirdars, or middlemen, is acquiesced in by circumstances of necessity, or rather cannot in the present state of the law be prevented, they will be inclined to form too favourable a notion of the powers of those sirdars over the weaker influences of the Government, and may form rather a contemptible opinion of the latter, in contrast with that which the arti- fices and stratagems of their own countrymen would, from their successes, be likely to engender. 39. Under present arrangements, all the artifices that are practised upon the general importations of immigrants are equally liable to be practised upon º specia WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 213 special importations likewise, who are not, of course, sent by separate vessels, but are intermixed with the general body of Government immigrants. 40. Not only do the designing sirdars contrive to introduce themselves into the bands of India, but actually go through the form of preliminary engagement there, which they afterwards turn to their own profitable account. Moreover, the mischief does not end with the arrival of the vessel at this port, for it is found to be quite impossible to prevent communication with the ship by persons who are expressly engaged in that illicit medium of traffic; and equally impossible is it to detect and prevent these artifices during the 48 hours of the immigrants' first residence in the island; so that whatever care, trouble, and expense it may have cost the importer to introduce those labourers for his own express service, it rarely happens that they are not snatched from his hands the very moment at which he has a right to receive them ; and the special importer being, for the most part, the planter of superior position, who will not stoop to such artifices himself, invariably sustains a loss which the repayment of his expenses, and the 25 per cent. added by the law, can never adequately compensate. 41. As the law of 1855 was intended to confer a boon upon those planters who wished to avail themselves of its privilege, and, as it has by these unforeseen casualties been so completely neutralised in its effects, I think it will be the wish of the Government to give it the full operation that is desired by authorising an amendment, which, under the restrictions to which I have alluded, will sanction engagements in India not only for the labourers that the planters require under that law, but for the labour and skilled service which the local Government requires for the prosecution of the public works; and which latter labour it is most difficult, in the present competition, to procure in this country upon any terms; and I propose to carry out that special sanction for engagements by an amendment in the law, which will provide for the safety of the measure by im- posing the following conditions:— - º 42. Firstly. All applications should be sent through the Protector of Immi- grants, or to the agents at the depôts in India, and should specify, on a printed form, the numbers required and from what Presidency, the wages to be paid (which should be on an increasing scale during the period of employment), and the rations and allowances to be given, the particular service required, the dis- trict of country or the town in which the employment is to take place, the dis- tance from a town or market, the supply of water and other attractions to the spot, and other necessary particulars; and the Protector should periodically send to the Government Agents of Immigration in India, a report of the minimum and maximum amount of wages and rations applicable to services of the various descriptions required in the different districts of the island, distinguishing the prices of skilled and unskilled labour, either agricultural or urban, as well as that of mechanics, tradesmen, domestics, and others, in order that the agents might know whether the prices offered, in specific cases, were in fair proportion to the value of the ordinary labour and skilled service in the particular districts in which it is required. 43. Secondly. While there would be no objection to the employment of pri- vate agents in the selection or engagement of labourers, servants, or mechanics, there ought, nevertheless, to be a certain restraint placed upon them through the instrumentality of the Government agents in India, who should take care that all fair and proper representations were made to the immigrants, and that, whenever they made engagements for special services, they should be fully in- formed of all material facts connected with their engagements; and this could only be accomplished by requiring that, from whencesoever such labourers and others might be brought through the inducements of private agents, they should in all cases pass through the immigration depôts, and be subject to the Scrutiny and inspection that must always be given to intended immigrants before embark- ation. And the contract itself must, in all cases, be entered into before the agent at the depôt, or before some proper magisterial authority to be sanctioned by the Government. r 44. Thirdly. After such contract has been completed in India, a proper docu- ment or ticket, in his own and the English languages, should be given to each immigrant so engaged, to be preserved and exhibited here after his arrival. And O. 13. F F 3 after MAURITIUS. ºsmºsºm- 214 * PAPERS RELATING TO THE AI AURITIUS. *me after such engagements, the contracts should be of the same force in this island as if they had been deliberately formed here; and the Indians so engaged should be carefully instructed that they are not at liberty, after their arrival in this country, to make any change in their masters, or in any way to alter their con- tracts, except by the consent of their employers, or in case of ill-usage or breach of contract on the part of the latter, and then only through the intervention of a stipendiary magistrate; and, moreover, they should be taught to avoid by all possible means any attempted influence on the part of sirdars or others, either in the depôt or in the course of their passage to this island; and, indeed, any such attempt on the part of those persons to influence them against their engage- ments should, if possible, be made punishable in this country, if the offence (although committed on board a ship) should be clearly established against them after arrival. g 45. Fourthly. Within certain reasonable limits there might be the encourage- ment held out to the Indian immigrants to associate themselves together in their engagements with employers, where they come from the same district or village in India, or are otherwise known or accustomed to each other; and, if necessary, they might connect themselves with some sirdar or head man to whom they have been used to show obedience or respect, as that sort of association would probably reconcile them to their migration from India under these prearranged and conclusive contracts. - 46. Fifthly. After such arrangements are concluded at the depôt, the specially engaged labourers or other servants should, if practicable, be transported to this country in ships in which other immigrants might not be indiscriminately sent, in order to avoid the risk of their being tampered with by designing persons on board; and, after their arrival here precautions should be used to prevent all communication with them except by their employers or their agents. Or, it might be left at the option of their employers in India to make separate arrange- ments if they preferred doing so, for their transport to this country, provided those arrangements were in general accordance with the ordinary regulations for the sanitary care, comfort, and protection of the Indians on board; and provided also that, after their arrival here, they should pass through the depôt and be registered in due form. 47. Sixthly. It should be left entirely to the discretion of the immigrant at the India depôt either to contract in India for his engagement of service here, or to come out in search of his engagement. If he prefer the former, he must be bound by his contract to all intents and purposes; and if he prefer the latter, it should be made known to him that the Government in this island will provide him a suitable master for his first engagement without allowing him to listen to any pledge that a sirdar may exact from him; and that although he will be left to some extent to the selection of his master, yet that that selection must be confined to those persons who have made the regular applications, and who will be chosen for him by the Protector upon good and favourable terms to the immigrant. 48. This latter arrangement I suggest as a powerful means of assisting to get rid of the unlicensed and designing self-constituted sirdar, although I think that, to a certain limit, voluntary association of immigrants with a previously known or an authorised sirdar need not be discouraged. But in such case there should be a penalty on the sirdar for demanding and on the employer for paying any- thing beyond the fair stipulated wages or improved rations allowed to be paid to the sirdar for his special services. r 49. Seventhly. The liberty of contracting in India, or of reserving himself for engagement here being left entirely at the free will of the immigrant, it might be left likewise to his inclination to allow his contract to run over three, four, or five years, provided there was the power reserved of having it broken through the intervention of a magistrate in this country, either on the ground of ill-usage or of non-performance by the master, or of fraud or misrepresentation in the engage- ment, or by the mutual consent of both parties, or upon two or three months notice after the first two years, and payment of some rateable proportion of the expenses, in case the immigrant should desire to buy out his industrial residence or to provide himself with a new master for the remainder of such industrial residence. In any of which first cases the contract might be broken by the - magistrate, WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 315 magistrate, after adjudication of the circumstances complained of, or, in the last cases, it might be broken at any time after three years upon some prescribed notice. 50. And I think it would be desirable that it might likewise be safely left entirely to the discretion of immigrants arriving here for engagement to enter into similar contracts for five years, determinable upon any such contingencies, if after full explanation at the depôt they might think proper so to do. The planters do not urge that they should be in all cases bound for five years; but that it might be left to their option so to bind themselves if they thought proper, and that they need not be prohibited from so doing. 51. Eightly. With all these precautions, and any others that might be suggested for securing the open and fair dealing between the employer and the immigrant, I can anticipate no such difficulties or mal-practices as those formerly experienced when contracts were committed in India to a more unguarded extent. And any concerted arrangement among the intended special importers, when made known and approved at the depôt here or in India, that would facilitate importation of these labourers, servants or mechanics, might be sanctioned; if the delays at the depôt were found too inconvenient, and if the special importers were to provide vessels for their transport under the prescribed restrictions. 52. Finally. The privileges that are conceded to the agriculturists should likewise be extended to merchants, tradesmen, and private persons requiring skilled assistance; and the same privileges should likewise be conceded to this local Government for the importation of experienced labourers or tradesmen for architectural or engineering purposes, as well as for the public roads of the country. 53. At the same time that I bring forward these strong applications on the part of the planters and merchants, in which they urge the importance of sanctioning these special engagements in India, I must candidly mention that, as far as I have been able to judge, from written and oral communications with the Protector of Immigrants, his feeling has been rather antagonistic to general engagements in India, simply because he has had in his mind the pernicious practices formerly prevailing under the unrestricted system to which I have already alluded, and to which also I should equally entertain, and for the same reasons, the strongest objections; but at the same time, that both he and I would be opposed to any plan of general engagements in India, uncontrolled by the restrictions of a proper Government supervision. The objection would, of course, fall to the ground if special engagements only were sanctioned under the system of control at the depôt, which I recommend for its perfect security. 54. The Protector seems to build more reliance on the course I have adopted of sanctioning an enlarged accession of labour under the new law which has just been confirmed, and is sanguine in the hope that that alone may suffice in the end to satisfy the requirements of the planters, and work the cure for the inconveniences complained of. To a certain extent I go with him in these views; but, looking at the confident hopes and sanguine expectations of the planters and of the commercial body in the efficacy of that proposed relief, and keeping in view the continuing struggle that is long likely to prevail at the depôt, the increasing influence of the sirdars, and the impossibility of finding skilled labour and selected servants and mechanics at the depôt ; and regarding, more than all, the true spirit and olject of the special law of 1855, and the utter nullity to which that law has been reduced by the anomalous effect of the 6th clause, and the great disappointment that has resulted to the planters, I am strongly of opinion, not only that no harm would ensue from allowing these special engagements in India, but that in fact it is right that they should be permitted, under the entire option of the immigrants, and subject to the restric- tions which I propose for the perfect security of those who choose to embark in them. 55. And I hope I may be excused, on a subject of so much local anxiety, for pressing the point of special engagement in India thus strongly on your notice, and asking you also to take my other suggestions and representations into con- sideration, founded as they are upon my own careful inquiries, and upon the information I have gained from what I believe to be the most authentic sources, as to the working and details of the immigration laws, many of which will require O. 1 3. F F 4 still MAURITIUS. -*. 216 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. gººmsº Encl. 1, in No. 13. still further amendment by-and-by upon points unconnected with those which I urge in this despatch. 56. Those other points of amendment will probably form the subject of a future communication, when I have become more thoroughly acquainted with the bearing of several questions which I have for some time past had under inquiry, and which, with the assistance of the Protector and others, I am still engaged in investigating. - I have, &c. (signed) William Stevenson. Enclosure 1, in No. 13. MEMORAN DUM. OR DINANCE No. 12 of 1855 not having attained fully the object in view when it was passed, it has become necessary that it should be modified in presence of the increasing demand of labourers. . 2. There are two Ordinances for the same object nearly, that is, the introduction of labourers at the expense of private individuals, in addition to those for whose introduction funds are provided out of the budget of the Colony; they are Ordinances 15 of 1854, and No. 12 of 1855. I am induced, from the abuses that exist, and are increasing, to suggest that Articles 6 and 7 of the Ordinance of 1854 should be modified, and the provisions of the Ordinance of 1855 should be adopted instead, with regard to men taken by parties in addition to the quota to which they are entitled. . 3. One great inconvenience of Ordinance 15 of 1854 is, the facility given for the payment of the stamps, having to disburse immediately only the 3 l extra tax taken for each man they take in addition to their quota. Some planters recruit men for their estates only out of those that arrive ; they find it cheaper and more convenient than supplying themselves out of the local labour market; they have for the purpose organised a system of recruitment on board the ships and in the depôt, which causes great dissatisfaction amongst the other planters, who are eager to engage a few of the newly-arrived immigrants on account of the good moral effects produced by their arrival on the estates. The immigrant who returns with the intention of returning to the master he has served, or who has despatched him to India, is dissuaded by bribes from following his original intentions; hence the complaints and quarrels at the depôt. 4. The necessity of sending men to India to have a chance of obtaining a few of the labourers introduced, entails on the planters a useless expenditure of money. Several hun- dred men are thus sent who do no good, for they re-embark in India, a few days after their arrival, to form bands during the voyage; hardly one in ten succeeds. In one of the ships arrived last week, there were 110 men who came for the first time to the Colony, and 40 recruiters sent up from this. Most of these reported to their masters that they had brought 25 or 30 men, or that they had recruited some 40 or 50 men which the agent had refused to despatch. If this continues, 15 or 20 per cent. out of the whole number of men received from India will be men sent up from this: a perfect waste of money. 5. Those practices would soon cease if the planter had to pay for each extra man he took the whole cost of introduction, as in Ordinance No. 12 of 1855. Men having been already applied for under this Ordinance, I do not see what reasonable objection could be made by those who would take the men here without a previous application, having to pay the whole cost at once. Those whose plan is to man their estates only out of the men that arrive, will look more to the local market, and leave each planter his fair chance of obtain- ing his quota. The competition to buy over sirdars and other expenses, which is not less than 1 l. to 2 l, per man, would cease. 6. Many planters have asked me to propose that each planter should be exclusively limited to his quota; but the payment of the whole cost would be sufficient, and would have the advantage of not infringing on the rights of the immigrant to choose his employer. The execution of the measure would be much facilitated if the plauter was allowed, when he has no very pressing want of men, to transfer his right to take them to another; there is no possibility of this becoming a traffic of men, the planter transferring his right without seeing the men. It might besides be allowed, under certain restrictions, such as the transfer only to a planter of the same district, or the transfer back of the right to the same number of men in the following year. This would obviate the inconvenience of receiving money to introduce additional men, which it may be impossible to execute; it would almost clear up the accounts of each year, and leave no arrears to be claimed in the following year. - - a (signed) F. Hugon, Protector. Immigration Office, 18 October 1856. • WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 2 17 Enclosure 2, in No. 13. Sir, - - Port Louis, 24 December 1857. 1. THE Chamber of Agriculture, on behalf of the body by which it has been elected, begs respectfully to bring under your Excellency's notice the continued and increasing insuf- ficiency of the supply of labour for the present agricultural wants of the Colony. 2. It is not unknown to your Pxcellency that the production of sugar requires not only the investment of a large amount of capital for the original establishment of works and plantations, but likewise the command of certain and continuous labour to ensure the per- formance, at the proper time and season, of the various operations of manuring, cleaning, manipulation, and removal of the plants. If these operations cannot be effected, each in its proper season, the whole affairs of an estate fall into arrears and disorder, involving to the proprietor not only an immediate serious loss of revenue, but a not easily calculated sacrifice in time, trouble, and money to re-establish matters on that footing which alone permits any farming or manufacturing enterprise to prosper. 3. Owing to the comparative abundance and reasonable rate of labour here some two or three years ago, though even then it was not so rife as it might have been, many thousand acres of unreclaimed lands were broken up and brought into cultivation. At first this pro- cess did not abstract so many hands from the labour market, because at the beginning the proprietors of those new estates had only to plant, and neither to clean a large surface of canes, nor to manipulate, but now that they also have got a large breadth of canes to care for, and all the works for a sugar estate in rotation to attend to, the demand for labourers has been increasing to such a degree that the number of men annually introduced by the local Government is found more and more inadequate to the wants of the old and the new cultivators; and this disproportion must be felt more and unore severely so long as there remains such an extent of good land lying waste and profitless. 4. Many of these new estates were only bought, and set up at great expense, in faith cn the often-repeated declaration of successive Secretaries of State, that there should be no limit to the introduction of Indian labourers here so long as they themselves were willing to come, and the colonists could and would pay for their introduction in such manner as the Jaw pointed out. - 5. As a further explanation of this continued necessity for the introduction of fresh labourers, notwithstanding the large number who have annually come to our shores, we would point out to your Excellency the number who have settled here (withdrawing from agricultural labour), and now enploy, or profess to employ themselves, by means of the the capital saved from their wages, as cultivators or woodcutters on their own lands, as hawkers, pedlars, jewellers, gold and silversmiths, carters or drivers of hired vehicles and carriages. A return of the number of licences, compared with what it was 12 years ago for such employments, issued to Indians, especially when it is known that each licence or shop gives cover to numbers varying from three to eight persons or more, would, we doubt not, account for a number calculated to strike with surprise any person unacquainted with the various and profitable employment open to immigrants here; indeed, a stranger, who remembered the state of the island only a few years ago, and now passed merely along any of the public roads, contrasting the sparse and infrequent houses which, at the distance of miles from each other, then dotted its borders, with the, in places, almost continuous streets and the numerous agglomerations of luts crowded together and swarming with Indians which now everywhere exist, would at once and most satisfactorily explain the absorption of hands from agricultural purposes, and the necessity of ever fresh arrivals, until either the progress of such absorption is stopped by the void which it supplies being filled up, or by repressive laws such as were authorised and recouménded by Lord Grey, when Secretary of State, but which have never, with any degree of constancy or perseverance, been applied by the local authorities. 6. To the mass of Indian immigrants themselves this excess of the demand over the Supply of labour does not and cannot produce any good, at all in proportion to the waste and loss of time and money inflicted on the planter; it has only caused the nuisance of middlemen, sirdays, and crimps to flourish. -- - 7. It is the aim and industry of such to intensify and perpetuate the natural tendency of the Indian to depend on headmen, and to endeavour, often by means of encouraging them in debauchery and drunken feasts, and by lending them money for such indulgences, for which afterwards they exact paymient from their wages, to get and to maintain a hold over the men, and induce them to accept service with those whose necessities compel them to offer to themselves the highest bribes. - 8. It is by no means upcomulon for them to pocket bribes from more than one employer, all of whom are thius heavily taxed, not for the profit of the honest and indus- trious labourers, but with the serious mischief of unsettling all the men in a district, and, by gorging one scheming and influential middleman, of encouraging others to take to the same course of intrigue and corruption. There are more than one instance of a whole district having been upsettled, and wages unduly raised in consequence of one band having O. 13, -- G G been MAURITIUS. Encl. 2, in No. 13. as PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. *-* been so seduced from a plante, at a critical time, and who seeing his crop jeopardized, and finding no other source for replacing the hairds so urgently wanted, has been forced to comply with cKaction. 9. It has long been confessed, that the only radical cure for those evils is more nearly to equalise the supply with the demand, and as far as pºssible to remove the competition of employers, according to the principles of free trade, from the close and confined market here to the larger oile of India, where thousands only ask the opportunity of labour and wages. - - - - 10. On this principle, and with the professed object of enabling planters to carry on their works with certainty and security, of permitting they', by the exercise of their own means and foresight, to feel assured of having bands to reap what they might plant, Ordinance No. 12 of 1855 was passed by the local Government, and sanctioned by Her Majesty. Under this Ordinance individual planters are authorised to apply for, and introduce at their own expense, but through the Government agency, the number of men which they foresee that they will equire; lut owing to some defects, seen in it from the first, and to other circuit- stances which we are persuaded may be remedied, this well-intended measure has signally failed in its effects hitherto. 10. Even the few men who have been introduced professedly under this Ordinance, although in many cases recruited in India at the expense of individual planters, and in all brought down at their risk, have arrived here subject to no legal engagement; and have been further informed here, that they were under no unoral engagement, and handed over to become the prize and speculation of, and to be competed for, by the unscrupulous crimps, &c., to whom we have alluded, and who frequent the “depôt” to seduce the labourers and pley upon the planters. - * • 12. Thus it happens that the planter after having incurred the expense of sending con- fidential men to India to collect labourers for his service, and furnished security to the Treasury for the expense of their introduction, finds all his labour and money thrown away, and that in point of fact he is worse off than if he had at once resigned himself to enter into the repugnant and even degrading competition aud fallacious seductions which prevail at the “depôt” here. 13. Again confidential men sent up from this to recruit, and who have been or should have been addressed by the Protector specially as such to the agents, have constantly returned without, so far as the sender could ascertain, ever having been recognised by the agents or himself, or the men collected by him having been pointed out and identified according to the Ordinance and supplemental regulations of the Governor; and bands, whether accompanying a chief man, chosen by the agent in India himself, or by such as have been sent fom this, have never here been set apart at all to see whether they could come to terms with the applicant in fulfilment of whose request the agent dispatched them, but have been rather encouraged to throw themselves at once into the ranks open for the operations of the crimps. Quite recently even, a few men out of a larger number sent for by the Government itself, for employment in the public service, were similarly dealt with ; and inveigled away by bribes to a crimp or sirdar. It is not therefore surprising if the planters despair of the promised benefits from the law as it at present stands, and as it is carried Out- * 14. An application to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State on the subject of this law was some time ago made by a planter at present in England; in the answer, dated 7 August last, written by direction of Mr. Labouchere, it is said “that as regards the working of Ordinance No. 12 of 1855, which authorises the introduction of immigrants at the expense of the persons applying for their services, I am to observe that this Ordinance came into operation on the 1st September 1855; that in February 1856, Governor Higginson reported that the requisitions for men as yet made under its provisions have been very limited, and that he was therefore dispºsed to think that labour was more abundant in the Colony than was generally supposed. Since the receipt of that Despatch no further intelligence on this subject has been received, but as far as regards the Home and Colonial Governments there is nothing to prevent the planters taking advantage of the Ordinance if they think fit to do so; neither has intelligence of any opposition on the part of the Government of Bombay been received.” 15. It would appear from these observations that the Secretary of State was under the impression that the planters could have only themselves to blame if the supply of available labour were not increased in virtue of this Ordinance. w 16. It is true that, even at the first, anticipation of disappointment and repeated actual deceptions since, have prevented the efforts to avail of it being more numerous; but if your Excellency would call for a return of the applications made under it, this misapprehension would speedily be removed. And if your Excellency would further call for a return of the number of immigrants who have been addressed to the Protector for particular planters in conformity with the Ordinance, and also of the number of such that has been handed over by the Protector to the parties who have so applied, we doubt not but that the state- ment we have above made would be fully confirmed. 17. We WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 219 17. We would respectfully suggest it, as further worthy of your Excellency’s inquiry, what causes have nullified and made a dead letter of a law from which so much benefit, and as far as can be seen by us yet, with such apparently good ground, was expected by the Government and the public here. sº " 18. We are reluctant to admit without proof what has been asserted, that it proceeds from imperfect instructions at the time from the Secretary’s office here to the agents in India; but whether it may have proceeded from this cause, from their own proper apathy, or from unauthorised and unfavourable reports conveyed to them from this, we may assert that the individual sentiments of the chief of the “depôt " here have been manifesſed against a measure adopted after long reflection and inquiry by the local Government, and approved of and relied on by the Secretary of State as likely to diminish the just griefs of the planter. - - 19. At all events, it has been made too clear to all whose necessities comice! them to mingle in the deplorable struggle that marks every fresh arrival of immigrants in the “ depôt,” that nothing has been done there to facilitate the planter obtaining the labour held out to him by this law, nor to encourage the immigrants to conform to its provisions or its spirit. - 20. It is an extraordinary fact that, while nine-tenths of the men who come from India here are known to be collected by, and embark on the faith of men who have already been here, and that pretty generally these men are faithful to, and return with their companions to their old masters when not seduced by unfair, cztraordinary, or lºng-continued exposure to temptation, scarcely any such have been repºrted to their employer as especially re- turned to him under his applications in virtue of the Ordinance. 21. The obvious and efficient remedy is the engagement of immigrants recruited by men sent up from this be'ore the agents in India, for the service of the plan:er who may have :sent for them, in conformity with the provisions of the Ordinance ; provided always that the engagement may be revised here for good cause shown, and that the labourer should be placed on an equal footing with others of his standing. 22. The objection to the allowance of an engagement in a country other than in which it is to be performed, on the grounds of the men's ignorance of its ºature, is not applicable to the present case; for so many Indians are constantly returning to their villages after long lesidence here, that Mauritius is better known to the class, s and villages which fur- nish our in migrants than not distant provinces of their own country; at all events, it is quite as well known as it can become from nearly 48 hours’ r sidence at the depôt, after which the inimigrants can engage with any one they please, and which residence, beset as they are by rival criumps, and temptations to over-indulgence, is, as regards their acquiring any true knowledge of the state of the county or the character of the different cont- petitors for their service, it may be stated, without disguise, an utter delusion. 23. Indeed, goaded and surrounded as they are by climps and interlopers, unany of them do not even know the face of the employer to whom they ultimately consign themselves till they are engaged before the magistrate. 24. No greater proof of their knowledge of Mauritius need be cited than what has more than once occurred : men to whom every inducement to emigrate to the West Indies was held out, exclaimed that they did not know the West Indies, that they knew Mauritius, and to it desired to go. - 25. Here we would beg leave to call to your Excellency’s attention, that in India for a long time back the agents, by instructions from the proper channel here, had made known to intending immigrants that the normal rate of wages for new hands was five rupees per month, with rations, &c., and it was at one time fixed even lower by the Protector, and currently accepted. That rate, being far beyond what ryot could even dream of earning at house, has been found sufficient to bring forward any number of labourers required. 26. The extraordinary enhancement in the scole of wages here at present existing, caused in great part by the unfortunate suspension of immigration, ought, in fairness to the planters, and for the general interest of the Colony, the more urgently as its produce seems to be now rapidly declining in price, to be counteracted by every legitimate means. 27. Besides the advantage of confidence and certainty in their operations, which would result to the planter in particular, from the change which we are about to solicit your Excellency to introduce, we would remark that there would result also a great relief tº the responsibility of Government for the well-doing of the Colony generally, and especially in regard to the amount of taxes to be raised. and the management of the finances. As each planter became habituated by having the faculty of doing so allowed to him, to rely on his own foresight and means, and to send up and recruit in India for his estate at his own expense, the demands on the general contingent of immigrants and on the immigration fund would diminish ; the colonial budget would be relieved, and as the supply of time-expired immigrants would become large enough to furnish the smaller cultivation, the expense of immigration would fall entirely on those who wanted the labour. This, which under existing checks and artificial hindrances would be a grievous oppression and fatal to the chief industry of the Colony, could then be borne, and would constitute the most ample security O. i 3. G G 2 against MAURITIUS. tº-mºmº-º-º: 22 O PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. ºmmº Encl. 3, in No. 13. against any fear of over-introduction and consequent distress, or under-payment of the im- migrants, a professed but unfounded apprehension which long retarded the progress of the Colony. - \. 28. Not only is the present supply of labour generally insufficient and its cost out of all proportion to its returns, at the price that can be reasonably calculated on for sugars, but in many instances enough of hands cannot be obtained on any terms. Much valuable caue last year was Ieft on the ground, and it is now perfectly certain that this year also, for the same reason, a still greater loss to individuals and in the export of sugar will occur. 29. It is for the planters who actually suffer, and very plainly foresee the ruinous conse- quences which are to be apprehended, humbly but respectfully to urge on your Excellency the adoption, before the evil is irremediable for many, of such means as occur to them, or such other measures as in your Excellency's wisdom may appear best adapted to meet the exigencies of the time. 80. The system of an immigration, long regarded with unfounded suspicion and jealousy, has been very gradually and after much uncalled-ſor and purposeless suffering and loss to the colonists, considerably amended. Many à priori prejudices and theoretical objections have, one by one, given way before authenticated facts and practical reason applied to the actual circumstances of the case. 31. There are still, however, great steps to be taken before it can render all the benefits. it might to Mauritius, and to the full number of natives of India who would here find sure and well-rewarded labour; and we have full confidence that more than one of these steps will be taken, and the progress of amendment maintained and hastened under your Excellency’s guidance and influence. - 32. Our present prayer is, that your Excellency will give your favourable attention to the foregoing circumstances and representations, and introduce such amendments into the above- cited Qrdinance as will give it practical effect, and especially that to this end engagements, under fitting regulations, may be authorised in India. We have, &c. + (signed) J. Currie, President. Christian W. Wiehe, Vice-President. G. Fropier, Secretary. - JE. Pipon, Treasurer. To His Excellency William Stevenson, * Governor of Mauritius, &c. &c. &c. Enclosure 3, in No. 13. Chamber of Commerce, Port Louis, Sir, 29 January 1858. - THE question of labour and immigration has again lately engaged the attention of the public. The Chamber of Agriculture, more immediately concerned in this momentous ques- tion, has moved the Government, who has, in its turn, felt the importance and necessity of an adequate supply of labour. The interests of agriculture and commerce are so closely interwoven, the demand and supply are such essential elements of production and trade, that the Chamber of Commerce desire to place on record their sentiments on this subject, more especially at a time when commercial appearances lead to the belief that cheap production will alone be able to meet the probable prices of the staple of this Colony, and low prices will once more test the struggle of free labour against slave labour for sugar cultivation. Of the issue of the competition with an abundant supply of labour under a well-regulated inmigration the Chamber of Commerce do not entertain any doubt; they believe that this island, with the fertility of its soil and the energy of its planters, will establish the supe- riority in every respect of the one over the other. But to accomplish this, the occasion of the scenes of disorder and scandal, of bribery and corruption, which take place at the depôt of immigrants on the arrival of every coolie ship, and attest the stringent want of labour, must be stopped ; and the means of supply should become large. 2. The Chamber fully acknowledge the correctness of the theory that the labourer on his arrival in Mauritius should have the right to the highest price in the labour market, but experience, tested by the almost uniform rate of ergagements throughout each year for all new immigrants, as fully proves that practice is at variance with theory, and that the extor- tioners called sirdars, who have great influence over the various bands of labourers on their arrival alone derive all the profit of a ruinous competition. 3. The evil and progress of that influence are every day becoming more apparent, as sirdars are no longer to be found, as in the earlier periods of immigration, over bands of men, varying in number from 50 to 100, but now dictate their own conditions over bands of 10 or 15 men, at the expense of both the planter and the labourer. T - 4. That WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 22 4. That influence can only be removed either by a very large immigration by Government that would meet all the wants of the labour market, or by engagements in India through individual exertions, under, Government control. But the Chamber is of opinion that the direct action of Government may not suffice for the introduction of such a number of immi- grants as will satisfy the just demands of agriculture and commerce, and that the sanction of the Legislature to engage in migrants in India becomes every day more and more needed in the interest of the Colony. - 5. The Chamber do not see valid reasons why an immigrant engaged before a magistrate in India, duly shipped through an Emigration Agent, should not be as much cared for and protected there as he would be in Mauritius. The Government might in that respect take every precaution in the interest of the immigrant, stipulate the daily allowance of food, and other supplies, as well as a minimum rate of pay to the labourer, without which the engage- ment would not be ratified here ; but the demoralising effects of contention and bribery at the depôt should no longer be the first scenes that the immigrant witnesses on his arrival in Mauritius; and the planter or the merchant should be at liberty to send to India to choose the class of labourers which he considers best suited to his wants, some for agricultural purposes, some for the vely important work carried on on the wharves and quays in the landing, ship- ping, or storing of goods, others for the employment of mechanics in the different trades carried on in the various large building and marine establishments of Port Louis; others, again, for the smaller but no less useful class of house servants. Commerce comes in for a large share of requirements; the very high price of labour tends to make everything dear con- nected with the shipping, when it is stated that a labourer frequently exacts 6 s. for a day's work on board, and the inadequate supply of mechanics, added to a growing disinclination on their part to manual labour, seriously enhances the cost of repairs of ships. 6. It becomes, then, necessary to seek elsewhere the labour which is required to keep pace with the increasing wants of commerce in these respects. 7. The Chamber, therefore, respectfully record and submit their sentiments, that your Excellency may be pleased to urge upon the consideration of the Secretary of State the sanction, under proper restrictions, of engagements in India, whether of labourers or of mechanics or of servants. Such a measure will secure an adequate supply of labour stimulat d by individual wants, confer a great benefit on agriculture and commerce, contri- bute to keep up the production of Mauritius, and tend to uphold the prosperity of its inhabitants. I have, &c. - (signed) P. A. Wiehe, To His Excellency President of Chamber of Commerce. William Stevenson, Esq., &c. &c. Enclosure 4, in No. 13. (No. 3.) Sir, Colonial Secretary's Office, 9 January 1858. HIS Excellency the Governor desires me to acknowledge the receipt of your communi- cation of the 24th ult, and to request that you will assure the Chamber of Agriculture that it shall receive his early consideration. . His Excellency fully appreciates all the difficulties the planters have to contend with, and the subject of immigration has for some time past engaged his attention, and been productive of many communications between the Protector of Immigrants and himself, and also of many careful inquiries. 2. When his Excellency shall have received a complete series of papers, now in course of preparation for his information, he will probably, if they appear to show much more con- fusion than he can venture to unravel himself, institute a careful inquiry into the working of the immigration system, with a view to its improvement, and the re-arrangement of the laws, which appear to his Excellency to be very unnecessarily complicated; and his Excel- lency will then be glad to have the co-operation and the benefit of the experience of the Chamber. - 3. His Excellency will communicate with the Secretary of State on the subject of the concluding request of the Chamber, with reference to the amendment of the law of 1855, and will ask for the sanction (under certain restrictions) of engagements at the depôt in India; but his Excellency does not recommend the Chamber to rely sanguinely on such arrangements being sanctioned, as the Home Government appears to have shown itself so much opposed to them. His Excellency will, however, explain any points on which the grounds of the prohibition may appear to have been misapprehended. In any case, a very long delay must take place before any such change can be sanctioned and carried into effect by the approbation of the Imperial as well as the Indian Governments; and in the meantime, his Excellency will relieve the difficulty as much as possible by directing some improvements to be made, as far as they can be so, in the immigration depôt ; and, under Ordinance No. 22 of 1857, which has now been allowed, his Excellency will still further O.T 3. G G 3 relieve MAURITIUS. asºmºs Encl. 4, in No. 13. 222 - PAPERS RELATING TO THE JMA.URITIUS. Encl. 5, in No. 13. No. 14. Governor Steven- son to the Right Hon. H. La- bouchere, M. P. 12 February 1858. relieve it by directing at once that there shall be forwarded immediately, and as often as opportunities can be found, as many immigrants as can possibly be procured; and that careful caution may be given to the immigrants, both at the depôt and on board, against the stratagems of unlicensed crimps and pretended siſdars. • • I have, &c. - (signed) Humphry Sandwith, The President of the Chamber of Agriculture. - Colonial Secretary. Enclosure 5, in No. 13. (No. 38.) Sir, Colonial Secretary's Office, 4 February 1858. His Excellency the Governor desires me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter under date the 29th ultimo, in which representing the Chamber of Commerce, you urge upon his Excellency certain important topics connected with Indian immigration, and especially the importance of engagements made at the ports of embarkation in India with emigrants coining here being sanctioned by the Secretary of State. 2. His Excellency directs me to request that you will inform the Chamber of Commerce that he fully recognises the affinity between the interests of the agricultural and commer- cial bodies, which prompts the latter to support the petition of the former on the important questions of migration and contracts for rural labour, and which induces on their own account also a requisition for a larger supply of urban labour for commercial and other purposes, wants which are equally felt in the public service likewise, both in its rural and urban departments. 3. Believing the unlicensed advance of the sirdar system and the unscemly struggles in the depôt to arise from the insufficiency of lab yur, and to be caused by the scramble among the competitors for the limited supply of their demands, his Excellency has endeavoured to strike at the cause, for the purpose of removing or alleviating the effects, and has already given directions for an early and full supply of additional labourers to an extent justified by proper considerations of sanitary safety, and sanctioned by existing regulations. 4. The out-going mail packet will convey his Excellency's Despatch on the subject of engagements in India, which will be left, with his Excellency's views on the subject, for the consideration of the Secretary of State. 5. I am to add that his Excellency will not, however, in the meantime, lose sight of the importance of endeavouring, by proper regulations, or by express Ordinance, if necessary, to soften the struggles in the depôt, and to arrest the growing evil that will no doubt result from the increasing ascendancy and extortionate demands of those sirdars, who seem to have stretched their pretensions far beyond the original object of their encouragement, and to have made themselves the self-constituted and arbitrary controllers of the destinies of the immigrants. In this endeavour his Excellency must greatly rely on the agriculturists, and all other employers of immigrant labour, to afford him an assisting hand. I have, &c. (signed) Humphrey Sandwith, Colonial Secretary. The President of the Chamber of Commerce. — No. 14. — (No. 37.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Stevenson to the Right Honourable FI. Labouchere, M. P. - Mauritius, 12 February 1858. Sir, . (Received 5 April 1858.) WITH reference to the circular Despatch of the 5th September last, which conveyed your sanction of the arrangements made by Mr. Franklin for the establishment of a depôt at the Emigration Agency at Madras, and your approval of the increased rate of salaries solicited for the officers employed in that department; 2. I have the honour to apprise you that the Legislative Council have voted the annual sum of 173 l, to meet the additional expense which the new esta- blishment will entail. 3. This west INDIA colon[ES AND MAURITIUS 223 3. This sum is the total amount of increase in the cost of the proposed esta- blishment as compared with the present Qnº : and under the plan of apportion; ment by which Mr. Franklin prºposes tº divide the expense of his establishment between this Colony and the West Indies, a part only of the increase will be chargeable against this Colony. As, however, the Council had Il O means of estimating the share which would be thrown upon Mauritius, it seemed better to vote the whole sum, and allow the surplus each year to be appropriated to other expenses connected with immigration, or to remain undrawn. I have, &c. (signed) William Stevenson. — No. 15. — (No. 69.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Stevenson to the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. Mauritius, 25 March 1858. Sir, (Received, 11 May 1858.) IN continuation of my Despatch, No. 19,” of the 13th of January, I have the honour to transmit the enclosed copy of a communication which I have received from the Acting Governor of Réunion, in reply to the letter in which I laid before him the particulars that had come to the notice of the Government respecting the means employed to introduce William Ferrier and certain other natives of the Pacific Islands as labourers into Réunion. 2. The Governor of Réunion expresses his regret that it was not thought necessary to confront Captain Wilson with Ferrier; but this the Government had no means of doing without criminal cause, and it will be seen that the sºb- stitute Procureur-Général, in reply to my inquiry on the subject, reported, in his opinion, of which you have received a copy, that Wilson, had in no way rendered himself amenable to criminal proceedings here; and Wilson, it appears, shortly afterwards left the island. - I have, &c. (signed) William Stevenson. Enclosure in No. 15. (No. 21.) Monsieur le Gouverneur, St. Denis, February 1858. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated 28th January 1858, and to thank you for the communication therein contained with reference to the recruiting operations of the vessel “Sutton,” in the Islands of the Pacific. 2. Your Excellency is aware of the conditions under which those operations had been authorised, the instructions addressed on that occasion to Mr. Chateau by the Director of the Interior having been brought under your Excellency’s notice. 3. With those instructions before me, and in accordance with the information contained in a letter from Mr. Sentis, French Consul at Sydney, as well as in the report of Mr. Dal- mayne, stationed on board the “ Sultan,” in the capacity of deputy of the Government to watch the regularity of the engagements, and who has been accredited in that capacity with the local Government by Mr. Sentis, I was far from anticipating the circumstances which have been disclosed to your Excellency. In spite, however, of the slender guarantee Mí AU f I THUS. cºmmº- No. 15. Governor Steven- son to the Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M. P. 25 March 1858. * Page 200. E Encl. in No. 15. which appears to me to be offered by the declaration of Mr. William Ferrier, who, by his own confession, was induced whilst in a state of intoxication, to sign “what they wanted ; ” and although again it is surprising, that having staid several days at the Island of La Réunion, the same individual should have made no disclosure whatever to the authorities of that island, who were in possession of all the means necessary for ascertaining the truth, while I regret that the agents of your Government should not have thought necessary to confront Captain Wilson with Mr. Ferrier, and should have allowed that gentleman to ground his justification solely upon the production of the precise instructions from the O. 1 3. \ G G 4 - Government 224 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. Government of La Réunion, which he was accused of having violated, I am nevertheless tºmmºn determined, Monsieur le Gouverneur, to use every means in my power to obtain informa- tion of the facts relating to the operations above alluded to. 4. The local Government, moreover, has already given an account of this affair to the Department of Marine, as far as their own knowledge enables them to do so, by means both of the Consul’s letter above-mentioned, and of the report of the Government deputy. Accept, Monsieur le Gouverneur, the assurance of my sentiments of high esteem and perfect consideration. - (signed) A. Lefèvre, To his Excellency Acting Governor. The Governor of the Island of Mauritius. - — No. 16. — * (No. 96.) No. 16. . º, Steven- Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Stevenson to the Right Honourable SOI) to the * Right Hon. H. - H. Labouchere, M. P. - Iº. Mauritius, 24 April 1858. 24 April 1858. . (Received, 17 June 1858.) Sir, (Answered, No. 183, 1 April 1859, page 296.) I HAVE the honour to submit, for your favourable consideration, the accompany- re 1. ing copies of a letter from the Protector of Immigrants, under date of the cMoS9 j e & w * : g Tºm 2d February, and of a report of the Immigration Committee, dated the 19th April, ~y. wºosuº Q, , gº €. tº º gº ... ? 2 recommending that the immigration agency at Bombay should be put upon the - same footing as those at Madras and Calcutta. 2. The evils of the system upon which the Madras agency was, and the Bombay agency is at present conducted, were so forcibly laid before you in Mr. Franklin's letter to the Emigration Commissioners of the 6th June 1857, a copy of which formed one of the enclosures of your circular Despatch of the 5th September Jast, that it is unnecessary for me here to recapitulate them ; and it appears open to some doubt whether any additional expense will in reality be entailed by the change which the Protector and the Immigration Committee unite in recom- mending. - 3. Our present demand for labour renders it necessary that we should look for a far larger supply of immigrants from Bombay than that Presidency has hitherto been called upon to produce; and it seems probable that the expense of the pro- posed establishment will not, under these circumstances, exceed the Saving which will be effected in the rate of passage money by the creation of a depôt, from which the ships engaged for the conveyance of intending immigrants can receive their full complement of men without being subjected to the detention which is the inevitable consequence of the existing system. 4. The Protector, moreover, anticipates that, in the event of a depôt being established at Bombay, many of the immigrants from Central India will choose that port as their place of embarkation instead of proceeding vić Calcutta, and longer route, which brings them through the unhealthy swamps of the Ganges, and very much lengthens the duration of their sea voyage ; the passage from Calcutta to Mauritius varying in length from 31 to 50 days, while that from Bombay is performed in 20 to 30. - 5. Upon these considerations, I have solicited and obtained, under the accom- wº- panying written recommendation, the assent of the Legislative Council to the establishment of an immigration agency at Bombay, upon the footing recom- mended by the Committee. - - 6. And understanding that a difficulty would be found in obtaining the full quota of immigrants ordered for the current year if the measure were not imme- diately carried out, and considering also that you had already approved of the principle upon which the measure is based, in the similar case of the Madras agency, I have, in anticipation of your acquiescence, directed that a communi- cation shall be addressed to the Government of Bombay, requesting that preli- - . minary WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 225 minary steps may be taken, without delay, for putting the establishment of the agency on the new footing proposed. 7. So that, by the time your acquiescence is received and communicated, the preliminary arrangements may be so far advanced as to cause no further delay in carrying the object into effect. And, indeed, if it be deemed expedient, I pro- pose to authorise a provisional adoption of the plan, to any necessary extent, for the purpose of testing its success and obviating immediate difficulty. I have, &c. (signed) William Stevenson, Enclosure 1, in No. 16. (No. 38.) Sir, Immigration Office, 2 February 1858. MEASUREs being adopted here for a larger immigration from India than there has been of late years, I have the honour to request you will bring to his Excellency the Governor’ notice, that to prevent disappointment hereafter, it is necessary to secure at once the means of execution in India. 2. From the interruption in the emigration that takes place during several months, to despatch men to the West Indies, not more than 7,000 or 8,000 men could be expected from both Calcutta and Madras, it would therefore be essential to give a proper organisation to the Bombay agency, and have there the same system as in Calcutta, which would enable the agent to furnish 3,000or 4000 men instead of a few hundred as hitherto. 3. In Calcutta there is a properly paid agent, who has no other duties to attend to but emigration ; he has a suitable establishment of clerks to register the people as they pre- sent themselves, a spacious office, where he can conveniently transact business, a depôt where several hundred people can be accommodated, where they are fed and properly looked after. When a ship has been taken up for the conveyance of emigrants, the moment she is ready to receive them the whole complement is sent at once on board, and the ship leaves after a few hours. - - 4. With regard to Bombay, it was decided some years ago to have there a temporary agency, which should be paid occasionally when there would be men to despatch. The Government of Bombay was desired to make such an arrangement on the most economical scale possible ; to carry into effect the wishes of this Government, the Assistant Registrar of Seamen was appointed Emigration Agent, on 120 ſ. a year, in addition to his other duties; he was allowed a clerk, and directed to transact the emigration business in his already con- fined office; he was allowed no depôt to receive and lodge the people; the system adopted in consequence has been to have a contractor for the supply of émigrants, and to keep them until they are sent on board ; when a ship is taken up, he receives notice of it, and sends the people on board as they are picked up; a vessel is sometimes a month before she receives her complement of emigrants; the saving in establishment is more than compensated by the higher rate of passages asked by shipowners in presence of such detention. 5. It being more important to the Colony at the present moment to have labourers than to save a few hundred pounds, supposing that there is really any saving in the system, I would beg to recommend the following measures: 1st. The appointment of an agent properly paid (at least 500 l. a year), having no other business to attend to but emigration to Mauritius. 2d. An adequate establishment. 3d. A convenient office to transact business. * 4th. A convenient depôt in the neighbourhood of the town, with room for 400 or 900 people, to receive the emigrants as they present themselves, to be in charge of an apothecary, or native doctor, provided with the necessary medical stores. 5th. The people to receive food in the depôt, as in Calcutta, until they are embarked. 6th. The expense of recruiting the people in the interior and feeding them on the roads, to be paid, not to a contractor for the “supply of emigrants,” but to the people who bring them from the interior. 6. There can be no doubt that the Colony will require annually at the very least 12,000 men; 6,000 or 7,000 to replace those who die, leave the Colony or servitude to work on their own account, and 5,000 or 6,000 to meet the increasing demand of labour for the cultivation of new lands. Madras and Calcutta cannot, as I have said, furnish more than 7,000 or 8,000 men; it is therefore necessary to have a permanent establiſhment in Bombay. - •. O. 13. . º H. H. 7. A glance MAURITIUS, sº-ºs Encl. 1, in No. 16. 226 PAPERS RELATING TO THE - M AURITIUS. The pilgrims to Merea take that route, and never that of Calcutta. Enc. 2, in No. 16. Emigration Esta- blishment at Bombay, L. R. 500, 2 February 1857. 7. A glance at the map of India will show that many of the immigrants we receive oiá Calcutta from the districts of Central India, above Cawnpore, could come more easily viá Bombay; they would take that route, and in greater numbers, when once assured of their having a depôt to go to ; there would be less risk of sickness, the atmosphere of the Ganges being avoided ; taking men from three instead of two different points, a better choice could be made. l have, &c. egº) J. Hugon, The Honourable the Colonial Secretary rotector of Immigrants. Enclosure 2, in No. 16. REpoRT No. 8, 19 April 1858. REPORT of the Immigration Committee on the following Papers referred to them by His Excellency the Governor. Committee : The Honourable the Treasurer, Chairman. The Honourable C. Wiehé. 22 the Auditor General. * - y 5 E. Baudot. 22 H. Koenig. 95 C. C. Brownrigg. 2? G. Fropier. 25 C. Antelme. THE committee have had under consideration a letter from the Protector of Immigrants, on the expediency of having a properly constituted emigration establishment at Bombay. The office of Emigration Agent at Bombay appears to be filled by the Assistant Registrar of Seamen, who receives an addition of 120 l. per annum, and the assistance of one clerk for this extra duty. There is no depôt to receive and lodge the Indians, and the system has been, to have a contractor for the supply of emigrants, who is supposed to keep them until they are sent on board. When a ship is taken up, this contractor receives notice of it, and sends the people on board as they are picked up. This system causes a detention of the vessel for a con- siderable time before a complement of passengers can be made up, with a consequent increase in the rate of passage money, and the absence of any depôt where the emigrants can be lodged and taken care of increases the chances of men being serit on board in an unsatis- factory state of health. These are serious disadvantages, and the agricultural body of Mauritius will hardly be satisfied of the policy of the present arrangement, however economical, as it must necessarily keep the Bombay agency in a crippled and unsatisfactory State. ** It is calculated that, if properly conducted, the Bombay agency may be able to furnish as many labourers as that of Madras; and it appears reasonable, therefore, that it should be put upon a similar footing. The committee accordingly recommend that the establishment of the Agent for Mauritius Emigration at Bombay should be under the same regulations as to the supply of food and the expenses of recruiting as at Calcutta, and that the establishment should be as follows, VIZ, Est ABLISHMENT. £. s. d. Emigration Agent - tºº -> * 4- 500 — — Medical Inspector <--> * -> º º 150 - - Writers and Interpreters, two at 48 l. each - 96 - - Writers, two, one at 24l., one at 12l. - º- 36 — — Peons, three, at 7 l. 4s. each &- , ºr º 21 12 – Sweeper - cº- - • - - - 1 4 — Stationery - - & -º º- º º- 20 - - Postage - º - &_e -> º - 1 — — Printing -> tº * tºº tº tº - 20 - - Advertisements - -e & a <--> º tº- 10 - - Office and Depôt Rent g- tº- º - || 120 – — Recruiting Charges - Gºe - * º 20 — — ToTAL - - - -É. 995 16 — Should, WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS, 227 Should, however, the Colony be disappointed in its expectations from an actual paucity of emigrants from Bombay, or have reason to believe that the Agent has not shown suffi- cient zeal and activity in procuring labourers, it will be well to have at hand the power of diminishing the establishment, both as to strength and remuneration, and the committee therefore suggest the propriety of subjecting this matter to an annual revision. In recommending this expense, the committee are of opinion that the services of the Agent at Bombay should be exclusively confined, for emigration purposes, to this Colony; and venture to express a hope, that the consideration which the Secretary of State has been giving to the question of a separate agency at each Presidency for Mauritius, may have for its result the concession of this advantage, which is a strictly fair one, and for the cost of which the Colony is prepared to make aniple provision. Felix Bedingfeld, Chairman. Enclosure 3, in No. 16. MINUTE of Reference of 22 April 1858. I BEG to recommend to the Council, under the circumstances disclosed in the letter of. the Protector of Immigrants of the 2d February last, and those stated in the accom- panying report of the Committee of Immigration, both of which I have myself carefully considered, that provision be made for 995 l. 16 s. per annum, for maintaining an agency at Bombay, on the footing of that at Madras, and in substitution of the defective system now prevailing at the former Presidency. (signed) William Stevenson. — No. 17. — (No 1 13.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Stevenson to the Right Honourable Lord Stanley, M.P. Mauritius, 8 May 1858. My Lord, (Received, 17 June 1858.) I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith six copies of each of the undermentioned annual returns — 1. Statement of the number of Indian labourers engaged in 1857. 2. Statement of the number of Indian Jabourers discharged in 1857. 8. Statement of the rates of wages for engagement during the year 1857. 4. Statement of births, deaths, and marriages during the year 1857. I have, &c. (signed) William Stevenson. O. 13. H H 2 MAURI l'I US *=ºssame Encl. 3, in No. 1 No. 17. Governor Steven- son to the Right Hon. Lord Stanley, M. P. 8 May 1858. 228 - PAPERS RELATING TO THE Encl. 1, in No. 17. - Enclosure 1, in No. 17. STATEMENT of the Number of INDIAN LABourERs that contracted Engagements during the Year 1857. D IS T R ICT S. ToTAL. j f i # # É # # i ; i i -> Port Louis - - 953 831 926 1,167 || 797 1,341 |2,163 |2,601 |2,676 1,633 1,511 1,579 18,178 Pamplemousses - || 596 552 900 || 957 1,215 1,149 | 1,004 || 1,047 |1,225 | 800 618 626 10,689 Rivière du Rempart | 193 214 || 420 553 | 408 || 606 || 645 || 357 || 484 || 270 || 369 | 166 || 4,745 Flacq - - - || 375 554 |1,046 |1,234 |1,252 800 || 547 950 | 780 531 || 475 438 || 8,982 Grand Port - * 516 428 524 6:10 756 746 774 722 799 715 307 324 7,251 savanne - - || 333 || 273 || 426 || 498 || 486 || 528 427 | 429 || 238 300 268 248 || 4,488 Black River - - || 344 289 558 || 382 266 || 305 | 350 250 | 180 | 111 | 126 252 | 3,422 Plaines Wilhelms - alzd Moka - {- 454 607 622 | 1,045 901 678 634 777 406 493 463 331 7,411 ToTAL - - - |3,764 |3,748 5,422 6,471 |6,111 6,153 |6,544 7,133 6,797 4,922 |4,137 3,964 65,166 Colonial Secretary’s Office, * Humphry Sandwith, 15 April 1858. Colonial Secretary. Iºncl. 2, in No. 17. - Enclosure 2, in No. 17. STATEMENT of the Number of INDIAN LABourERs that contracted Engagements during the Year 1857. º, É | | # | g | 3 | # D IS T R I C T S. É É -5 *4 tº, QL, e g § .# , 5 ; ToTAL. C -d º º wº C --~ bſ) F., S 3 º r: Q tº-1 ſº !-4 -; 23 Tº Gly Ö -- Q) HS Pr4 p: * tº tº , ch t- -C ~ Centage. 3. W A G E S. | 3 # | # : & • *: 5 # 5 E c 3–4 3-4 Fº P-> Q1) -> ão * O }~ Gl) 3 || 3 || 3 || 5 || 3 || 5 || 3 | = | 3 || 3 || 3 || 3: H-2 £r- P: < > Hº Hy º º I 4 8 — tº * = º I gº * = Gº * wº tºº gºe * l 4 4 - º gº * = gº tºe tº- gº gº 7 : — sº tº 7 4 - - º I I 2 I tºº 2 tº 17 I 2 º 27 3 16 — * º tº tºº 1 * Eº gº I6 tºº *sº gº 77 3 8 – iº º I I tºms I dº 4 || 21 º gº gº 28 3 - - 3 I 2 8 4 4 14 10 16 5 6 4 77 all above 14s. 2 16 - tºº l tº 3 tºº I gºme I I º I * = 8 2 12 - gº ſº tºº 2 I I I º tº-º I tºº 3 9 2–8. 2 10 - tºº sº * * * sºme 2 3 : I tºº sº 2 4 7 19 2 8 - 3 6 5 13 24 10 I2 13 12 7 12 5 I22 2 4 - I 2 - cº 5 2 I 2 4. 3 º gº 20 2 - - 16 30 32 50 28 48 53 61 46 45 24 32 465 1 18 - 2 2 tº gº gº; tº 2 tºº — 1 – tºº º 6 1 I6 - 6 I0 4 9 8 17 18 I4 8 9 11 7 121 l 14 - dºe *s 2 I I gº &ºi=} 2 2 tº-e gº gºme 8 . 8. d. 1 12 — 29 54 61 66 7() 83 I 12 70 91 63 53 48 800 1—2 16 6& | 10 - 6 *== 5 10 7 5 3 6 7 2 4. 10 65 1 8 - 35 45 62 72 57 84 67 92 88 || 136 65 35 838 1—2 1 7 — * º * I — tºº s=g * * wº $º sº I i 6 - 8 13 || 22 tºº 17 9 47 76 30 23 || 13 4 262 1 4 - 85 81 | 167 176 || 147 | 198 || 224 160 217 | 186 139 164 1,944 2–9 1 2 – 30 I 2 15 28 15 31 43 42 14 31 45 23 329 1 — —- 239 272 || 486 || 85l 885 | 684 || 684 563 528 736 || 740 || 52 i 7,192 1 1–0 — 19 — tºº * I tºº gº Gºe 2 amº 10 tºº gºe * 13 – 18 : — 233 495 || 909 | 1,399 || 994 | 1,183 920 | 847 | 823 943 716 || 534 9,996 15–3 – 17 - * I I tºº 3 2 sº 13 14 23 *=g *s 57 – 16 - | 1,002 | 1,218 1,761 |2,027 2,144 1,912 | 1,658 1,933 1,697 | 1,351 | 887 | 938 18,528 28–4 – 15 — 5 I 3 gºe *g l * =s I tº- tº tº 12 – 14 - | 1,116 885 | 1,265 | 1,051 | 1,035 900 | 843 || 752 912 511 || 482 444 10,196 15-6 – 13 – * l * gº wº tº º --> * 4 sº tºº 5 — 12 — 681 || 384 || 357 || 428 || 395 || 394 || 464 869 568 || 329 535 | 493 5,897 9–0 – 11 — *º-e * sºs *g * * * --> Gº- * _- 199 gº } 99 – 10 – 121 90 | 124 147 | 121 443 | 1,092 | 1,283 | 1,229 367 59 500 5,576 8–5 – 9 – esse * = tºº &=º I tºº I I * *g tºº tºº 3 — 8 — 64 59 68 68 66 67 || 1 || 0 || 105 I 66 49 53 776 — 7 — tº 2 * º tºº tº-º 2 * 87 *se sº * 9 | all below 14s, - 6 - 49 42 38 38 4} 39 83 I 13 76 4 I 30 59 649 - 5 4 * º * _- tº- * sºme I gºs *se sº tº 1 3–5 – 5 — * e-e 1 | – º Eºs 2 | – 1 || – cº- i- 4 - 4 - 19 17 20 I 3 30 25 49 51 60 24 39 46 393 — 3 — tºms I 2 I tº gº sº I sº wº- gº tºº 5 - 2 4 * = --> &=º gº &=º {º •- — I tºº tº 4-3 gºs I - 2 – 8 22 4 5 6 6 23 45 26 9 20 31 205 — 1 – 2 * I sº tºº tºº * * I I sº tºº 5 Total - - |3,764 3,748 |5,122 |6,471 |6,111 || 6,153 6,534 º 6,797 |4,922 4,137 3,964 65,156 Colonial Secretary's Offic., 15 April 1858. O. 13. Płumphry Sundwith, Colonial Secretary 230 PAPERS RELATING * TO THE • Kucha 103S ſeluoſo.O ‘ųų mpunS fiuqdumEſ \ {'898.I q.018.JN G1 ‘smpſimeW ºogjo s, Kıbıaloºs teluotoo ••|:. ||-|- į; I 8•~ | yz~ | ~ || 19— | — | rw | — | — || 29---－- | 98 | -|- i ç9|----— || Zſ;|•|-| 10••| wis|•- | - - - Tv Lo L 0 I Iæ- | z- | - || g |— | — | g- | - || g•- | 3•- | 01— | — | zi| –- | 01●-- | gj•- ， ， ，oņſpºļueußțuiul I 838•），~ | 9I- | - || 88— | — | 18- | - || Ig«-»- | 08�---－•|ו|- | ZZ -- | † 8.±），~ | 66«），- | - omſpºoņuauddy-xºſ [88•=|-9----•£I-•8€）•9I••Sț7•-83– !•8●•-$3----•I83•----•uoņe|ndoaſleuau39 ||: sºovi u ſvW - 010'9 901'z| 016's gºz | 92 | 121|| goy | gv || 69%, Gyº （ 36 | 891 y 18 | 101 | 103| 6108 IZ|×|su98%| ºs:998 | 8ZI | £ț4 | 968 | 018 | 989 || 89g%| 198 | 968‘I | - - - Tyloſ, 118ºz | ±± 2 | † 10% Ig I | 0ff || III| 083 | ſ2 | 99 || «øl | IV || 18 | 161 | 6ýzſ I || 208 | 88ſý&& ! gſþý || 1.II || 8Z$ | £țZ || 0:1 || 8 || I | ff Ig | 09 I | ý98 | † 19 | 6 || I | g6ý | -oņuſp ‘ſuelºſtuu I 22Zºz | Zg0‘L | gzzº I Z86Z | £9 | #9 I || 89 || I6 | & II | 09 | 49 || 60 I || 89998Þ3 | 30 I || 9ýI Í Þ83 || 80 I || 9ZI | 90 [ | Þý39I88 | 9Ť I | 98L | I06 || 89Ť || ºpț | - oņſpºoņuauddy-xȚ Z86 | 118 | [[9| oz1 | -8 || || 8 [9 | 31 || I || || I || .0 || || VI96ſý98%99680I63„I6 8[9]gI988V z | 063 | 897 | - uoțieindoa ſelauao : SHLv3 OI · '.į 690'2 | 68Þºg | 08g‘8 | 004 lot!£6 | 967 | 88ø| 89ø| 898 | 161|| 421 | 188 | 103 | 081. | 406 | 987 | 997 | 9f9 || 0zº | ggw || 199 || Izz | 974 | 296 | †gſ | £19 | gºſºz | Izz“I | №zzº1 | - - - -ivro I. 896%| 88，1 | gurºi || 68 | 9* | sw | 994 || Izı| 621|| 903 || 801| 16 | 80% | wiſ | #6 | sſ | izg | «zz | 967 | zºz | ssz || gsg | se1 | 291 | 079 | 104 | 624 | tgv | ozz | 112 | - ompºueußſtutup 19zºg | 101° L | 09 lºl | 18ſºſ88 | 181 | 88 | 66 | 1.II | 09 | 19 | ý8 I | 02Þ99ț3 | 9II | 08 I || 0 Ig || III | 6668 I || 29Z8938 | 8ýI | 381 | 918 | 209 | 609 | - oſmıp ºoņuauddy-xºſ 098‘l | 906 | gł6 | ſg | « I | gl | gg' | ºz | 08 | Iý$3 | 9 I || 68AI��£I3 | 66ÞII || $ſ; I || 1992,$ț793LIZ0I | 09Ø936I“I | 88g | †09 | - uogelndoq ſelouap !: sh Luſg· •， -|- -• --· |- •�~ \ > | ſ | ? | ? || È | 5 | ► | ► | 5 || ± | 5 || ? | ? | ? || 5 || ? | ? | ? | ? || ă | ? | ? || 5 || Ț | ±- || ? | ? | ? || 5 | Ģ 3?}?�?, •? •?-?�?●%�?�|-?� ?'exļoſ，.sttrat|[[AA sºuļºtāſ ºuða!!}{ \oeſºſ*Quuta es°) 10&I pue.19ºboeſ）“Quedouoyſ mp auņņaſH | “sºssnouIaIdunąºs!mo"I quoŁ t）--------~-ſ “F - ”STIVALOJ,‘S L O I 'H' J, S I Cl · 2981 ſe3A aq, Joſ ºsgoviały WIl pue‘SELyºOI “SHI，IIGI Jo LNGIENSILVĀLS MAURITIUS. Encl. 4, in No. 17. ‘AI ‘ON uſ ºſ ºunso ſouſq WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 23 l — No. 18. — Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Stevenson to the Right Honourable the - - Lord Stanley, M. P. . (No. 119.) Mauritius, 12 May 1858. - - - - (Received, 20 June 1858.) My Lord, (Answered, No. 66, 17 August 1858, p. 292.) WITH reference to Mr. Secretary Labouchere's Despatch, No. 335,” of the 6th May 1857, in which the question whether emigration from India to Mauri- tius and the West Indies respectively shall be restricted to two separate seasons of six months each, was represented to be under the consideration of Her Majesty's Government; and Mr. Secretary Labouchere further intimated his inclination to approve of the appointment of a separate emigration agent for Mauritius at Calcutta and Madras, provided that the Legislative Council were prepared to incur the necessary expense. 2. I have the honour to transmit here with, for your Lordship's consideration, a Report of the Immigration Committee of Council upon the Despatch above referred to, dated the 19th August 1857, a copy of a letter from the emigration agent at Calcutta, with reference to that report, under date of the 24th Decem- ber 1857, and a further report of the Immigration Committee, dated the 6th April 1858, commenting upon the agent's letter. Both these reports were duly presented to, and adopted by the Council, and it was only when on the point of transmitting to you the report of the 6th April last, that I found that the former report of the 19th August had not been transmitted by my predecessor. 3. The first mentioned report of the committee, viz. that of the 19th August 1857, refers to a letter from the emigration agent at Calcutta and other docu- ments, besides Mr. Labouchere's Despatch, with the perusal of which I do not think it necessary to trouble you, as they bear chiefly upon questions of detail which have since been disposed of, and were only considered in connexion with the subject on which I have now the honour to address your Lordship, because, in one of them, the Report of the Indian Medical Committee, it was stated that the mortality amongst coolies embarked during the months of October, November, December, and January, had been observed to be less than half that which occurred amongst immigrants shipped during the other months of the year. 4. Such a fact as this, asserted on competent authority, and proved by a statistical statement extending over a period of some years, could not but be of considerable weight with the Immigration Committee of Council, when it devolved upon them to take into consideration the resolution of the Court of Policy, enclosed in Mr. Labouchere's Despatch, in which it was proposed to re-establish a rule restricting the Mauritius immigration to six months in the year, and leaving the other six months for immigration to the West Indies. 5. It appears that, for reasons having reference to the voyage, which may be applicable to those colonies, but with which Mauritius has nothing whatever to do, West India immigration is, in fact, restricted to six months of the year, four of which are the healthy months; and that though the Immigration Com- mittee were mistaken in supposing that the immigration to Mauritius had always ceased during the West Indian season, yet, from the very return which the emigration agent furnishes, in order to prove that no such interruption has taken place during the last 10 years, it is apparent that the immigration to this Colony is very much slackened during those very months which are considered the healthiest, in consequence of their being comprised in the West Indian season. 6. It is obviously undesirable that the greater number of immigrants coming to Mauritius should thus be shipped during a period of the year which is recog- nised to be unhealthy, and still less desirable is it that either the West Indian or the Mauritius immigration should be restricted to that period, as must neces- sarily be the case if the resolution of the Court of Policy is adopted. 7. It seems far better, that the immigration to both quarters should be carried on simultaneously during that season of the year which is admitted to be the O. l 3. H H 4 healthiest : MAURITIUS. Gºme No. 18. Governor Steven- son to the Right Hon. Lord Stanley, M. P. 12 May 1858. * Page 274. “f *Relos, *6. -, T -->e. G 2 En clo * ºne a. 232 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. enºmºsº Encl. 1, in No. 18. healthiest; and that, with a view of avoiding the difficulties which are found in carrying on immigration to both quarters simultaneously by the same agents, a separate agent should be appointed for Mauritius, at each of the three Presidencies. - - tº – 8. Upon the first point: of allowing Mauritius to continue its independent importation of labourers, either throughout the whole year, or at such seasons as may be considered most healthy, or most in accordance with local views and arrangements, I need only refer you to the numerous occasions in which the Colony has been put to enormons trouble, disappointment and expense, in con- sequence of the arrival of immigrant ships with the cholera, rendering it necessary to resort to quarantine; a recourse which (independently of other inconveniences) often plunges us into extreme difficulties when vessel after vessel arrives in the same condition, and there is only one cholera station for the reception of the im- migrants. If immigration to this island were to be restricted to one half of the year only, and that the most unhealthy half, in order to afford greater facilities for West Indian migration, it is obvious that, in this important respect, as indeed in every other, the interests of this Colony would be very seriously prejudiced. And, when I assure you of the anxious uneasiness of the people of this Colony on account of cholera, arising from the past frightful ravages of that disease, and the excitement that prevails every time an immigrant ship is reported with cholera on board, I am sure...I need say no more by way of argu- ment against the extreme repugnance with which the colonists would regard any such restriction, as that which is in contemplation. 9. Irrespectively of the difficulty about the double agency, they believe there is none to prevent them from enjoying their free and independent Indian migra- tion at all times of the year. And, indeed, it would be very difficult to satisfy them that any reason, however plausible, could possibly be given against the exercise of their free discretion in this respect; and as the only supposed difficulty seems to lie in the employment of an united agency, I am now brought to that second point, and have to report that the Legislative Council were quite unanimous in expressing themselves fully prepared to support the report of their committee, and to meet the additional expense which would be entailed by an arrangement for a separate agency. - 10. I beg, therefore, to add, that this is likewise my own view, and I beg strongly to recommend to the favourable consideration of Her Majesty's Govern- ment, not only the continuance of free immigration throughout the year, and at such seasons as may best suit the convenience and arrangements of Mauritius, but the establishment of a separate agency for this island, at each of the three Presidencies. I have, &c. (signed) William Stevenson. Enclosure 1, in No. 18. Ae REPORT of the IMMIGRATION COMMITTEE on the following Papers, referred to them by his Excellency the Governor. - Committee: The Honourable the Treasurer, Chairman. The Honourable C. W. Wiehe. 99 Auditor-General. 95 E. Baudot. 35 H. Koenig. 35 C. C. Brownrigg. 5 3 G. Fropier. 55 C. Antelme. 1. READ letter from the Government Emigration Agent at Calcutta, dated 16th April 1857 (L.R. 3,101), forwarding a report, with enclosures from the Committee appointed by the Government of India, to inquire into the state of the sanitary arrangements on board. coolie ships proceeding from that port to Mauritius. $ 2. Read Despatch from the Colonial Secretary of State, under date of the 6th of May 1857, No. 335, enclosing the copy of a resolution of the Court of Policy of British Guiana, expressing their hope that Her Majesty's Government would re-establish the rule which formerly existed, and restrict emigration for the Mauritius to six months of the year, allow- ing emigration to the West Indies to go on for the remaining six months. - The WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 233 The Secretary of State expresses his disinclination to change the existing arrangements during the present year, but has under consideration the expediency of adopting the Sug- gestion of the Chamber of Policy, and at the same time of conceding the request of the Chamber of Agriculture of Mauritius, to have a separate emigration agent for Mauritius, at Calcutta and Madras. - . 3. The committee are under the impression that the rule adverted to by the Court of Policy of allotting six months to Mauritius, and six months to West Indian Immigration from Calcutta, has never been altered; but the question having been mooted by that body, and specially referred to by the Secretary of State, it will legitimately come under the pro- vince of this committee to make some remarks on the subject. 4. According to the report of the Government committee in India, February, March, and April are the three months in which there is most cholera in Calcutta; and in which the water of the Hooghly is most brackish and unwholesome, and consequently these three months show a greater ratio of mortality amongst the emigrants who then left Calcutta than the remaining nine months of the year; the centesimal proportion, calculated for eight years, showing 3:21, 2:35, and 276 in these months, while in the cooler season it gradually diminishes, being 1:08 in October, 1:25 in November, 1:58 in December, and 0.56 in January. It happens, moreover, that the time set apart for West Indian emigra- tion, includes the whole of the cool season. 5. We are informed, and no doubt correctly, that these three months have been chosen with the special object of enabling the emigrant ships bound to the West Indies, to go round the Cape at the most favourable season; but, while admitting the force of that reason, the committee submit that the Mauritius has an equal claim to the consideration of the Government, and that, if it should prove impracticable to alter the existing routine, that this Colony may be allowed the privilege of obtaining labourers at the season of the year best adapted for their embarkation. 6. The readiest mode of arriving at this desirable object, with the least chance of inter- ference with the rights and requirements of the West Indian agriculturists, would be the organization of a distinct emigration agency for Mauritius, at Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras. 7. The committee cannot doubt the willingness of the Council to meet any increased expenditure which this arrangement would necessitate, nor do they anticipate any reluc- tance on the part of Her Majesty's Government to assent to a proposal, which would tend to decrease the mortality hitherto unhappily prevailing among the immigrant vessels coming to this Colony, without in any manner interfering with other Colonies recruiting labourers in India, whose interests, by this arrangement, would be specially attended to by their own agent. º 8. Indeed, the committee believe that, rather than continue to risk the introduction of contagion, by sending emigrants to Mauritius in this most unhealthy time of the year, the Colony would prefer a cessation of immigration from Calcutta during the three very unhealthy months, trusting to their agent to make up this deficiency by an increased activity in the cool season. 9. The committee, therefore, recommend that the Council should pledge themselves to meet the expense of a separate emigration agency for Mauritius at Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras, but at the same time request that the emigration to Mauritius, thus separately conducted, may extend over October, November, December, and January in each year, in addition to the six months now used for that purpose, out of which two, as above-men- tioned, are the most notoriously unhealthy months of the year. 10. The committee have carefully considered the remedial suggestions of the Indian Medical Committee, and beg to make the following observations on them. 11. These suggestions are here copied, with the observations of the Immigration Com- mittee opposite:— 12. It is difficult for us to recommend that the number of women and children should be reduced, as it is on other accounts desira- ble that they should accompany the heads of their families; but the custom of allowing individuals sometimes to proceed, although in a broken state of health, in order that the family party should not be broken up, should be abandoned. 13. We must strongly recommend that no ship whatever its tonnage, should allowed to carry more than 250 emigrants. 14. Shipments O. 13. The practice of allowing a member of a large family to go on board, though in evi- dent bad health, and sometimes in an ad- vanced stage of dysentry, has already been strongly animadverted on, and the com- mittee quite agree to the propriety of having the custom abandoned. The committee are disposed to agree in this recommendation, modified to the extent of allowing 300 emigrants from Calcutta to be embarked during the three cool months, and only 250 during the other months. This I I MAURITIUS. Cºsmºs 234. PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. _sº 14. Shipments should also be made to a much greater extent than at present: during the cold weather months. 15. To render, it more the interest of * captains of vessels to land the coolies in health, we should recommend (in addition to what has already been done by the emigra- tion agent) that one rupee per head be allowed to the captain for every man landed, and that from the total of this, 10 rupees should be deducted for every death on board. This committee quite agree with the medical committee on this point. Under the existing arrangement referred to on the other side, a bonus of one rupee is paid to the commander for each coolie landed alive, provided the mortality during the voyage does not exceed two per cent, with a further gratuity of 50 rupees in case of a ship reaching the Colony without a single death. The disadvantage of this rule is, that no inducement is held out to the captain to persevere in his care when once the mortality has passed the ratio two per cent., whereas a scale of graduated remuneration, such as is contemplated by the medical committee would encourage and reward the exertions of the captain, even in cases of considerable mortality. This committee recommend therefore that the graduated scale of reward proposed at Calcutta should be adopted, and should supersede the present system, and they would willingly extend half this conditional remuneration to the chief officer of every ship bringing immigrants from Calcutta. * The following Table will more readily explain the result of the two systems. AS NOW IN FORCE. . AS PROPOSED, Number | Number Captain. Number Number | Captain. Chief of Men of e of Men : of to Officer to Landed. Deaths. Receives Landed. | Deaths. Receive | Receive 2–~ 2–~ |2–~ * Rs. JRs. JRs. | 00 0 : 100 100 O 100. 50 99 l 50 99 l 89 44%. 98. 2. 50 . . 98. 2. 78. 39 97 3' O 97 3 67. 33% * : 96 4 56 28 95 5 45 22} 94 6 34 17 93 7 23 11% 92 8 12 6 9 | 9 0: 90 10 O O * 16. The medical records should be better kept, and we think that a detailed explana- tion should be required from the captain and medical officer of the cause of the mortality whenever it exceeds one per cent. 17. As we consider that the preservation of the health of coolies is more a matter of judicious management than one of medical treatment, and as the great majority of European medical men that could be in- duced to go in charge, are altogether ignorant of the language and the habits of natives, we do not deem it necessary to recommend a superior class of medical officers to the common native doctors for their medical charge. A great improvement in this branch of the service is required, the general state of the medical record being marked by con- siderable negligence and inaccuracy; and the committee suggest the propriety of any flagrant case of inaccuracy or negligence being reported to the Indian agent, with in- structions to decline the services of such medical men in future. - It is worth consideration whether it would not be advisable to encourage European medical men to take charge of immigrant ships coming from Calcutta, by offering them, besides a fixed salary, a certain pre- mium for every immigrant above the age of two years landed alive, and at the same time investing them with more authority, and, in fact, making them responsible agents of the Mauritius Government; much as is done in the case of medical men going to the Colo- nies from England in charge of convicts. 18. The WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 235 18. The committee cannot altogether agree with the medical authorities in Calcutta as to the small number of immigrants who die of cholera during the passage, inasmuch as they apprehend that not a few of the cases marked in the ship's book as diarhoea, and dysentery, are, in fact, cholera; in which opinion they are confirmed by the fact of many of these supposed cases of bowel complaint having terminated fatally in less than 48 hours; and they are surprised that no evidence could be found by the medical committee that any ship had arrived off the Mauritius with cholera on board, it being painfully notorious in Mauritius that in 1854 the “ Sultany” arrived at Port Louis from Calcutta, having lost 30 passengers from cholera in the previous 21 days, and losing five others from the same disease after she had come to an anchor. - 19 August 1857. - Felic Bedingfeld, Chairman. Enclosure 2, in No. 18. (No. 29 of 1857.) . To the Honourable the Colonial Secretary, Mauritius. Sir, + -- WITH reference to the accompanying extract from a Report presented by the Immigration Committee at Mauritius to his Excellency the Governor, relative to the seasons in which emigrants are despatched to the Mauritius and the West India Colonies respectively, I would beg leave to observe that the emigration of labourers with their families from this port to the Mauritius has gone on without any interruption during the whole 12 months for the last 10 years, except for that period in which it was put a stop to by the Government of India in 1856–57. 2. The West India season begins on the 1st September, and ends on the 28th February, and the enclosed Table shows the number of ships despatched to Mauritius during those six months in each year for a period of 10 years consecutively. I have, &c. . (signed) J. Caird, * Emigration Agent's Office, Calcutta, - sº Emigration Agent. 24 December 1857. & P. S.—The ship “Calliope” will be despatched with 300 emigrants on the 7th proximo. EXTRACT. Para. 3. THE committee are under the impression, that the rule adverted to by the Court of Policy, of allotting six months to Mauritius, and six months to West Indian immigration from Calcutta has never been altered, but the question having been mooted by that body, and specially referred to by the Secretary of State, it will legitimately come under the province of this committee, to make some remarks on the subject. SEASON, 1848–49. M O N T H S. | NUMBER OF SEIIPS DATES OF DEPARTURE. DESPATCHED. AT U * September, 1848 - 11th and 26th. 2 . October - gº º 2 14th and 21st. November wº- tº 3 7th, 18th, and 27th. December - tº l 16th. January - - - 2 6th and 18th. February - - - 4 1st, 7th, 19th, and 27th. SEASON, 1849-50, September &º &º 4 1st, 11th, 15th, and 29th. October - tº º 1 25th. November gº º 2 10th and 18th. December - º - 2 8th and 19th. January - tºº ſº 2 10th and 15th, IT ebruary - tº º 2 4th and 23d. O. l 3. II 2 MAURITIUS. ºmº Encl. 2, in No. 18- 2 36 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS, . e - IM O N T EIS. sº DATES OF DEPARTURE. | SEASON, 1850–51. September gº gº 2 14th and 24th. October – * * cºs 1 7th. November gº tº 3 7th, 10th, and 26th. December tºº sº l 5th. - January - - sº l 14th. February - tº - I 17th. SEASON, 1851–52. September * => tºº 4. 1st, 4th, 7th, and 24th, October - º º I 22d. November sº º l 8th. December - - tº 2 8th and 24th. January - tº º *E. e. 2 14th and 31st. February - - E. 3 12th, 24th, and 29th. SEASON, 1852–53. September dº 1 14th. October – tº tº º 2 1st and 18th. November tº • -, - DOE 10. * == December - gº - I - - none. tºº January - tºº tºº I 6th. February - - tº l 12th. SEASON, 1853–54. -- September wº sº 2 8th and 17th. October - º tºº I 7th. November º tº 2 6th and 29th. Jecember gº- tº 2 13th and 31st. January - *º- - || - - Il CIle tºº February - gº ſº 3 1st, 14th, and 17th. SEASON, 1854–55. September tº º 3 11th, 12th, and 30th. October – gº tº l 28th. November tº tº I 16th. December ſº ** I 17th. January - * → - || - - none tºmºsºmsº February - * > ( = 2 2d and 22d. SEASON, 1855–56. September tº-e gº 2 20th and 26th. October – ſº - - - Ilo Ile. tºº November tºº tº 1 20th. December wº gº 2 2d and 9th. January - tº tº 2 8th and 28th. February - tº- º I 24th, SEASON, 1856–57. September * > ~ | * = I\OD16, tº- lº October - tºº tº 2 1st and 13th. i. er - : l Emigration prohibited under the orders of ecember T |}the Government of India, dated 24th October January - tº tºº | 1856 * - February - - - {../ UW e * For 1857 on LY. September gº tºº I 20th. October - gº º 2 8th and 28th. November sº * = - I 5th. - December sº tºº 2 4th and 26th. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 237 - MAURITIUS. Enclosure 3, in No. 18. REPORT, No. 7, 6 April 1858. REPORT of the Immigration Committee on the following Papers referred to them by His Excellency the Governor. * Encl. 3, in No. 18. - Committee: The Honourable the Treasurer, Chairman. The Honourable C. Wiehé. 99 the Auditor General. 95 E. Baudot. 35 H. Koenig. - 95 C. C. Brownrigg. ,, . G. Fropier. 22 C. Antelme. THE committee have had under consideration a letter from the Emigration Agent at Discontinuance of Calcutta, observing, with reference to a passage in their Report, No. 2, of 1857, that the Immigration to emigration of labourers with their families from that port to Mauritius, had gone on without Mauritius during any interruption, during the whole 12 months for the last 10 years. º Indian * a SC&SOIl, 2. The return furnished by the Emigration Agent at Calcutta shows, indeed that emigra- tion from Calcutta to Mauritius has never been entirely discontinued; but the committee cannot agree with Mr. Caird, that the Mauritius emigration has gone on without any inter- ruption during the last 10 years. 3. By the annexed Table, which exhibits the annual despatch of ships from Calcutta to Mauritius, it will be manifest that a considerable slackness occurs in the operations of the agency, as far as regards Mauritius, during the West Indian season; and the committee have reason to believe, that the emigration to Mauritius may be kept ostensibly open during that time, with a view to attract men to the depôt, who, when once there with their families, may be induced to go to the West Indies, rather than be subjected to the inconvenience of remaining in an unsettled state at the depôt for an indefinite time. 4. The committee take this opportunity of again requesting his Excellency to urge on the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the expediency of allowing this Colony to have its own exclusive agent in Calcutta. - TABLE exhibiting the Number of Ships despatched from Calcutta to Mauritius with Emigrants from 1847 to 1856, distinguishing those sent during the West Indian Season, viz., in September, October, November, December, January and February. West Indian Rest of - - YEAR. Season. the Year. TOTAL. •. 1847 * , * . 7 18 25 1848 ſº -> 9 13 22 1849 º º- 8 15 23 1850 - cº- 11 12 23 1851 tº -> 10 15 25 1852 • I 9 20 29 1853 tº e - 9. 17 26 1854 tº tº- 9 24 33 1855 tº-e - 7 17 24 Felix Bedingfeld, Chairman. — No. 19. — (No. 167.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Stevenson to the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M.P. Mauritius, 4 August 1858. (Received, 21 September 1858.) Sir, (Answered, No. 95, 26 October 1858, page 298.) I HAVE the honour to report that I have, in anticipation of your sanction, directed the Acting Surveyor General to take immediate steps for the enlarge- ment of the immigration depôt, a work for which my predecessor directed measures to be taken, upon the representations contained in the Protector's letter of the 16th July 1857, copy of which is herewith transmitted. *ure, N. O. 1 3. w - I I 3 2. The ~& N., -238 PAPERS RELATING TO THE JMA URITIUS, ** s ov wº 3k ... ?" (). O: Encl. 1, in No. 19. 2. The importance of securing ample accommodation for the immigrants, during the time for which they are required to remain at the depôt, can hardly be overrated; and there is, at present, scarcely sufficient room for housing 700 men there, with due regard to cleanliness and health, whereas the number for whom accommodation is required frequently amounts to 1,200. 3. I cannot but regret that, under these circumstances, so much delay should have occurred in making the preliminary arrangements for affording the increased space so urgently needed, and now that these arrangements have been completed by the final transfer to the Government of the lands and buildings which it is proposed to bring within the limits of the depôt, 1 trust that I shall be held justified in directing the work to be proceeded with imme- diately, without awaiting the result of a reference to Her Majesty's Government. 4. I have the honour to enclose copies of the Acting Surveyor General's letter,” dated the 29th March, forwarding the estimates and plan, in accordance with which the work is to be executed; my Minute of Reference, under date of the 7th May, in pursuance with which the Council voted the sum of 4,420 l. 19 s. 10 d. for this service, subject to the investigation and report of their Finance Committee ; and an extract of report, No. 6, of the Finance Committee, dated the 28th May, in which their views are recorded in favour of this expenditure. I have, &c. (signed) William Stevenson. Enclosure 1, in No. 19. (No. 73.) Sir, - Immigration Office, 16 July 1857. I HAVE the honour to request you will inform His Excellency the Governºr that in consequence of the arrival of four coolie ships on the 12th, when the depôt contained already 456 people for embarkation, I have been able to land º the 13th the in migrants of two ships, only those of the “ Appleton” and “James Fernie,” that is, between 700 and 800 people. - 2. The depôt is calculated to accommodate about 700 people, allowing that each adult occupies no more space than on board ship, that is 12 superficial feet, making all allowance for a portion of the people keeping in the open air whilst the weather is fine; it has been impossible to receive more than these two ships' complements at the same time, which made the total number in the depôt above 1,100. 3. I informed the captains of the two other ships of the necessity I was in of leaving the people on board for two or three days; as nothing is said in the charteºparty about keeping the immigrants on board after the ship's arrival, the captains have declared they would claim an indemnity for the detention of the people on board. 4. In Her Majesty's Order in Council, it is enacted that the immigrants shall be pro- vided with two days’ provisions by the captain when they are landed; the object of this, I conceive, being that the maintenance of the men for two days should put them in a position of independence for that time, in making their conditions of service, I would not Çonsider myself-authorised to dispense with this condition, on account of the unavoidable delay in landing them. 5. As the circumstance of several ships arriving at the same time is likely to happen frequently, I would think it desirable that the agents should be instructed to make it one of the conditions in the charter of ships, that in cases of necessity, from the accumulation of more people in the depôt than there is accommodation for, the captains will have to keep the people on board on the allowance they received during the voyage, for which they would receive an indemnity. 6. The increasing proportion of females and children amongst the immigrants intrºduced renders it urgent that a large addition should be speedily made to the accºmmodation for immigrants arriving and leaving. With 222 men received per {{ Appleton,” there are 154 women and children; in the following years the proportion will be greater still. 7. Although not a scientific man, the experience I have had in India leads me to express the opinion that there is more real danger to the publig health in this accumulation of hundreds in the dirty state in which they land, in too confined a space, than in the sickness that has prevailed during the voyage. In India, cholera has been known often to break out previously in prisons before it has been heard of in the locality. 8. The WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 239 8. The immigrants, under present circumstances, cannot remain less than two days in the depôt ; they have to be inspected by the officer in medical charge of the department, their declarations of marriage have to be certified, and the bounty paid to them. 9. Last year, when the rise in the price of sugar had not yet created a great demand for labour, its price varied little in the Colony; it remained at 12 s., which was in proportion to the 10 s. which newly arrived immigrants had received hitherto. On the earnest demand of the planters, and with the conviction that there was no chance whatever of better con- ditions for the immigrant when bands had been formed, and no other planters but those who had formed them remained in the depôt, I al’owed them to take the people out; but this indulgence, which had great inconvenience for the work of the office, could not be allowed now without injustice to the immigrants, as it would deprive them of the chance of better conditions. - - 10. Although the majority of the men arrived in the two first ships have engaged at 10 s., no inconsiderable number have obtained wages of 12 s. and 14 s. a month; a number of plauters appear to have agreed to offer no more than 10 s., but there are others who, hard pressed for men, are willing to give to the immigrant arriving part of the higher price of labour which obtains in the colonial market. 11. Several planters have applied to me to interfere on their behalf in that respect, but I have declined doing more than explaining carefully to the people, that they are quite free to make the conditions of service most advantageous to themselves, and profit by the state of the labour market, and that they will be furnished two days’ food from the ship, which will make them independent of every one for that time. 12. To allow the planters to remove the people without settling the conditions, and whilst others are on the spot offering better conditions, which are not readily accepted only from the influence of returning sirdars, would be interfering to deprive the people of their chance, and leading them to believe (which is the expectation of the planters) that the Government imposes on them the obligation of accepting certain conditions of service. I shall always feel disposed to do all that lies in my power to save planters trouble, but I can do it only so long as it does not interfere with the interests of the immigrants. * I have, &c. The Honourable the Colonial Secretary, (signed) T. Hugon, &c. &c. &c. Protector of Immigrants. Enclosure 2, in No. 19. MINUTE, I HAve the honour to submit the following papers for the consideration and vote of the Council. WoRKS AND BUILDINGs:–New Works. A letter from the Acting Surveyor General, dated 29th March last, with reference to the enlargement of the immigration depôt, enclosing plans with estimates of the cost of carry- ing out the proposed extension, amounting to tile sum of 4,419 l. 19 s. 10 d, should tiles be employed in covering the buildings, or to that of 4,054 l. 5 s, in the event of tin being employed for that purpose. I should observe that the estimate includes the cost of pur- chasing land and premises in the neighbourhood of the depôt, valued at 800 l. This is a work which has long been projected, and is of a highly important nature. But as it is not provided for in the annual estimates, I am induced, on account of its great urgency, to anticipate the sanction of the Secretary of State for the expenditure, and to ask the Honourable Board to vote the amount required, that the works may be commenced without delay, subject to the report and investigation of the Finance Committee. (signed) W. Stevenson. 7 May 1858. Enclosure 3, in No. 19. ExTRACT from the Finance Committee's Report, No. 6, dated 28th May 1858. 3. THE Committee have considered various papers connected with the proposed enlarge- ment of the premises used as a depôt for the Indian immigrants, and have placed them- selves in communication on the subject with the Protector and the Acting Surveyor General. O. 1 3. I I 4 It MAURITIUS. tºº Encl. 2, in No. 19. Encl. 3, in No. 19. Enlargement of Immigration Depôt. 240 . . . . . PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. It appears that these additions would double the present accommodation for coolies, and dº a more airy and healthy disposition of the sheds would be obtained, with better drainage than at present, and increased cleanliness. c) The estimated expense of this undertaking (including the purchase of land) is 4,420 l. 19s. 10 d: and the Committee fully impressed with the necessity of encouraging, in every possible way, the Indian immigration, have no hesitation in recommending to the Council a vote for the above amount. r / — No. 20. — (No. 168. - No. 20. ( - ) & Governor Steven- CoPY of a DESPATCH from Governor Stevenson to the Right Honourable son to the Right Sir E. B. te FIon. Sir E. B. ir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M. P. Lytton, Bart., - Mauritius, 5 August 1858. 5 August 1858. Sir, (Received, 21 September 1858.) I HAVE the honour to report that, after repeated and urgent representations from the Surveyor General's Department, respecting the impossibility of obtain- ing a sufficient supply of labour for the repair of the roads, I have, with a view of rendering the service more popular, solicited and obtained a vote of Council for the expenditure, in rations to be granted to the lawful wives of labourers employed on the roads, of a sum which would be equal to about 1,300 l. a year, if we had in our road service the full number of men required, of whom, however, we have not one-half our proper supply. - 2. I have the honour to transmitherewith copies of a letter from the Inspector of Roads, and a report from the Acting Surveyor General, by which this measure sº- was suggested to me; and a copy also of my minute of reference, bringing the matter under the consideration of the Council. * e ‘2’ re- 3. The dislike with which the road service is regarded is attributed to one \ of the many evil results of the influence of the “middle men,” who, under the name of Sirdars, have perverted the opportunity offered to the immigrant of choosing his own master into an occasion of selling his services to any planter whose exigencies may force him to give the “middle man’” the highest bribe for practising those arts of intimidation and deception, by which he, in fact, induces the immigrant to choose the master to whom it may suit his own purposes to allot him. - - | 4. By the baneful influence which these men exercise upon the credulity and ignorance of the newly-arrived immigrants, all efforts hitherto made to obtain labourers for the road service, under Ordinance No. 12 of 1855, have been completely frustrated. 5. The Government cannot, of course, bid against the planters for the advo- cacy of the intriguing “middle man,” and that advocacy is, therefore, employed in prejudicing the Indian against our service ; nor will any increase in the rate of wages offered avail to counteract the false impressions thus engendered ; neither is it advisable to resort to the course now adopted by the planters, of paying large and unreasonable premiums to the Indians for engagement in their service, a resort to which, to some limited extent, we have, however, in some instances, been obliged to have recourse, from the positive necessity of the case. 6. The measure now under consideration is an attempt to counteract this baneful influence by legitimate means, which, however, are not very satisfactory to my mind. But it will offer an inducement to the steadiest of the married men to adopt the road service, and to persevere in it, so long as this trifling assistance is afforded. 7. I cannot hope that it will be entirely successful, but it may serve to palliate the evil to which the roads of the colony are now being sacrificed; and the urgency of the occasion will, I trust, justify my having anticipated your sanction for giving effect to it, under proper precautions, as a temporary expedient to be tried, in the first instance, during the remainder of the present year. * - 8. I have WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 241 8. I have already laid before Her Majesty's Government, in my Despatch MAURITIUS. No. 22,% of the 30th January, what I consider to be the real remedy, and the • Page no only one which is likely to prove efficacious, namely, to give up the fiction of Page 207. allowing the Indian to choose his own master, a selection which, owing to the peculiarities of his character, and the circumstances in which he finds himself placed, on his first arrival in a strange country, he is not likely to make for himself; to sanction the engagement of men, in India, subject to careful re- striction, at the depôts of the several agencies, and to corresponding scrutiny here; and to entrust to the protector of immigrants alone the power of allot- ting to their respective masters those immigrants who prefer coming down with the Government contingent, and engaging themselves in the colony. I have, &c. (signed) JWilliam Stevenson. Enclosure 1, in No. 20. Encl. 1, in No. 20. Sir, * , Surveyor General's Office, 22 May 1858. ON the 23d December of last year, 34 men and 16 women, belonging to a larger number who had been kept in quarantine on Flat Island, were engaged for one year to work for Government, and one of the conditions of their engagement was, that their wives should receive their rations of rice during the time of service of their husbands, which condition was accepted on the recommendation of the protector of immigrants. 2. Since that time these women, 16 in number, have received their rice, and, in order to obtain credit at the Audit Office for these rations, it would be necessary to have a special authority from his Excellency the Governor to distribute such rations, and to include them in our accounts of delivery. - - I have, &c. . Captain J. R. Mann, R. E., (signed) F. Target, Acting Surveyor General. . . . Inspector of Roads. REPORT, No. 54 (F). SUBMITTED for the approval of his Excellency the Governor, I should be glad to have permission to offer rations of rice to the lawful wives of all immigrants who may engage with the Road Department. It would be a strong inducement to the immigrants to engage, and would not entail much expense upon the Government. - (signed) J. R. Mann, 22 May 1858. Acting Surveyor General. Enclosure 2, in No. 20. Encl. 2, in No, so MEMORANDUM. - Government House, 7 July 1858. I HAVE the honour to lay before the Honourable Board a letter from the Acting Surveyor General, dated the 22d May last, requesting that a special authority may be given for the issue of rice to the wives of a small band of Indians lately engaged by Government for road labour; and, further, recommending that rations of rice may henceforward be given to the lawful wives of all immigrants engaging for the Road Department, in order to reconcile them, in some measure, to that unpopular but necessary service. - 2. The extra rations to the small band I have already allowed, as they were engaged after detention in quarantine under peculiar circumstances; but the general allowance, as a rule, to the wives of married men actually engaged, appears to be also desirable under the present extreme difficulties of retaining workmen on the roads. 3. From the report of the Auditor General upon the above-mentioned communication, it appears that this measure might necessitate a probable extra annual expense of 1,350 l., if the entire number of labourers that ought to be attached to the Road Department were in cottstant employment, and if one-third of them were married; but, in fact, we have not, at O. 1 3. K K present, *sº 242 - PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. Ǻmº present, one-half the number that were contemplated when the road estimates were made labour market, and the insurmountable objection entertained to road work. 4. Consideling, however, how completely the public roads are already obliged to be sacrificed for the purpose of avoiding, as I desire to do, all possible collision with the planter, but considering, also, that road work is so unpopular as to require some attraction of the nature proposed, I feel no hesitation in r commending the Board to vote the sum estimated. William Stevenson. (signed) — No. 21. – (No. 205.) ExTRACT of a DESPATCH from Governor Stevenson to Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. ; dated Mauritius, 24 September 1858. (Received, 5 November 1858.) * (Answered, No. 134, 30 December 1858, page 293.) I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith a General Return of Indian Immigrants for the quarters ending 31st March and 30th June 1858. No. 21. Governor Steven- son to Sir E. B. Lytton, Bari. M.P. 24 Sept. 1858. lºcc!. in No. 21. Enclosure in No. 21 GENERAL RETURN of INDIAN IMMIG RANTs for the Quarter ended 31st March 1858. A. R. R. I W A L S. CHILDREN. DATE S H I P S. Adults. 2 to 10 | Under TOTAL. Presidencies. Years of 2 Years LANDED. , - age. of age. No. Names. - M. F. | M. | F. | M. | F. Males. Females. January 15 - || 732 Adelaide - - Calcutta - || 175 88 25 20 | 12 || 10 212 118 February 3 - 733 Futtay Shaw Allum | - ditto - 204 89 24 || 21 | 1.4 6 242 116 ,, 29 - || 734 Calliope - * - || - ditto - || 217 | 68 || 20 | | 1 || 10 || 7 247 86 t, 11 - || 735 | Punjaub gºs - Bombay - 182 96 24 | 19 || 14 | 16 220 13] TotAL arrived during the Quarter * sº tº º - || 778 341 93 || 71 || 50 39 %. 451 Births - – - ditto * º $º º gº gº - dº sº ſº º º ſº 49; 466 In the Colony, as per last Return - •= , = tºº •º * > --> sº sº º-º * * - 107,072 35,462 108,398 36,379 Males. Females. Departures - * . sº - 1,468 - - 320 \ e * sº Deduct {}; fºs sº º sº - '556 - - #}} during the Quarter - --- 2,034 515 Remaining on the 31st December 1858 - tº º gº * me - || 106,364 35,864 r—r— T. J. Hugon, Protector of Immigrants. neither do I think we are very likely to obtain many more in the present difficulties of the A WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 243 - MAURITIUS- GENERAL RETURN of INDIAN IMM 16 RANTs for the Quarter ended 30th June 1858. — A R. R. I V A. L S. ; CHILDREN. ; DATE s H 1 P s. APULTS. 2 to 10 | Under TOTAL. ! #Presidencies. | || Years of 2 Years LANDED. . . i age. of age. No. . Names. Af. F. : M. F. M. | F. | Males. Females. April 12 - - || 736 Priam - - - || Madras - | 181 93 23 ||32 || 8 || 11 2I2 136 ,, 13 - - 737 | Startled Fawn - || Calcutta – 282 92 || 19 I6 7 | 10 308 E 18 ,, I6 - - || 738 Earl of Sefton - - ditto - || 238 || 11 l ; 29 || 30 10 | 10 277 | 5 || ,, 28 - - | 739 Futtay Allum - | Bombay - | 181 49 || 6 || 4 || 3 || 2 190 55 ,, 29 - - || 740 . Ally - - - || Calcutta - || 240 | 68 || 10 | 12 || 5 || 3 255 83 May 6 - - || 741 Isabella - - || Madras - || 151 72 14 | 16 || 5 || 2 170 90 , 7 - - || 742 i Regina - - | Calcutta - || 217 69 25 | 15 || 3 || 7 245 9] ,, 10 - - || 743 Malabar - - || Madras - 191 100 43 19 || 6 || 6 240 125 , 27- - || 744 Ocean Wave - || - ditto - || 29 49 || 7 || 11 || 3 || 2 139 62 9, 27- - || 745 Panama * - || - ditto - || IS4 54 19 || 1 || || 4 || 5 207 70 2, 29 - - || 746 Appleton - - Calcutta - 210 99 || 33 26 || 8 || 13 251 138 , 29 - - || 747 Mermaid - - Madras - 186 40 || 10 || 10 0 5 196 55 ..June l l - - 748 Sir Edward Parry - - ditto - || 158 56 27 20 | 6 || 6 191 9I , 8 - - || 749 Atiet Rohoman - | Calcutta - | 207 82 23 12 || 4 || 7 234 I01 , 10 - - 750 Shah Allum - - I - ditto - || 2 || 1 99 26 29 10 | 12 247 140 2, 10 - - 751 Boyne - - - Bombay - || 144 94 23 10 || 7 || 4 174 .108 s, 12 - - || 752 Bucephoelus - - Calcutta - || 235 90 20 21 | 12 10 267 121 , 14- - 753 Minden - - || Madras – 217 95 41 22 7 8 265 125 , 29 - - || 754 Blue Jacket - - | Calcutta - || 320 97 || 33 19 || 9 || 12 362 128 2, 30 - - 755 Soubahdar - - I - ditto se 196 70 26 || 25 10 15 i 232 H I l () ToTAL arrived during the Quarter - - - || 4,078 | 1,588 j457 360 127 150 4,662 2,098 Births - - - ditto - * * * * = * * • - - - - - 318 292 In the Colony, as per last Return - •' º º - - -- - - º - 106,364 35,864 4. Males. Females. i 111,344 i 38,254 net ſ Departures - 1,760 - - 365 * -- ~ 4. * • sº - 9 ) | ... ;- - º Deduct U Deaths- ms $33 - - 212 ſ during the Quarter : 2,283 57.7 Remaining on the 30th June 1858 - - - - - - - - - 109,061 37,677 T. J. Hugon, Protector of Immigrants. - — No. 22. — *- (No. 2 1 1.) No. 22. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Stevenson to the Right Honourable Governor Steven- Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M.P. Son to the Right e - e. Hon. Sir E. B. Mauritius, 27 September 1858. Lytton, Bart. - (Received, 6 December 1858.) 27 Sept. 1858. Sir, (Answered, No. 151, 22 January 1859, p. 294.) WITH reference to the enclosed copy of a letter from the Protector of Immi– grants to the Colonial Secretary, dated the 9th instant, I have the honour to report, in reply to Lord Stanley's Despatch, No. 66, of the 28th May, that the “Bengal Merchant” does not appear to have been examined by any competent surveyors, prior to her being employed in the conveyance of return coolies to Calcutta, on the occasion adverted to by his Lordship. *- Enclo s. 2. As, however, the Protector reports that every ship taken up to carry return immigrants is now subjected to a survey by the harbour master, when she has not come in with immigrants, and that a copy of the survey is for- warded to the Protector of Immigrants in India, I have not thought it necessary to take any further steps in this matter, other than to direct that Mr. Hugon should be furnished with a copy of the Passenger Act, of the provisions of which he appears to have been in ignorance, and to require that for the future, the Instructions conveyed by the Despatch and enclosures now under reply shall be strictly pursued. I have, &c. (signed) William Stevenson. 24 4. + PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. tºmmº Encl. in No. 22. Enclosure in No. 22. Sir, Immigration Office, 9 September 1858. IN answer to your letter, under date the 22d July last, regarding the Despatch of return immigrants per ship “Bengal Merchant,” in 1856, without previous survey of that vessel, I have the honour to report that no copy of the Passenger Act having ever been in the office, I was not aware of its provisions, and I have never received information as to its being applied to the emigration of Indians, from my predecessor or any one else; and as up to the time that the “Bengal Merchant” was taken up, vessels engaged to carry return immi- grants had not been surveyed, that vessel formed no exception to the practice; being a teak- built ship, her age was not, in my opinion, objectionable, as ships of the same class and age had been and are still engaged in India to convey emigrants to this port; amongst them I may instance the “Cornwall,” built in the same year as the “Bengal Merchant,” which was lost this year on Cannonier Point, with in migrants on board ; the throwing overboard of cargo in bad weather is not an uncommon occurrence with ships coming to this port deeply loaded with rice, and is not considered by practical men a proof of sea unworthiness. - - 2. Since a communication has been made from India about the “Bengal Merchant,” every ship taken up to carry return immigrants has been subjected to a survey by the harbour master, when she has not come in with immigrants, and a copy of the survey report No. 23. Governor Steven- son to the Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. : 7 Nov. 185 * Page 288. . . . y scosº. --~~ .V __-- ~~ Y,\\ is forwarded to the protector of immigrants in India, with the other documents. I have, &c. (signed) T. Hugon, The Honourable the Colonial Secretary. Protector of Immigrants. (No. 243.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Stevenson to the Right Honourable Sir E. Bulwer Lytton, Bart, M.P. — No. 23. — Sir, Mauritius, 17 November 1858. (Received 24 January 1859.) I HAve the honour to acknowledge your Despatch, No. 47,” of the 26th J uly ultimo, enclosing a correspondence between the Colonial Office, the Emigration Commissioners, and the India Board, and sanctioning two points which I had strongly urged in a former Despatch, viz., the privilege of contracting in India for service in this Colony, and the power of the Government to make fair and beneficial allotments of the immigrants arriving here under Government arrangements, and not under contract for special service. 2. I lost no time in communicating this Despatch to the Council, who re- ceived the intimation with much satisfaction, believing that the privileges now conceded will, in the first place, prevent many of the disappointments that have hitherto been experienced, and, in the next place, obviate many of the difficulties that have prevailed at the depôt, and which there have hitherto been no proper means of removing ; and I have myself no doubt, that, if the details are carefully worked out, very great improvements in our immigration scheme will result from these concessions. 3. As soon as I had prepared outlines of the measures I proposed to intro- duce, and of the preliminary regulations which appeared necessary for the successful operation of the new arrangements, 1 thought it right to meet the Immigration Committee of the Council, and to place those outlines before them for careful consideration and discussion ; and I explained to them fully my views of the manner in which the measure should be worked out, and received in return several useful suggestions; and the result was afterwards communicated to the Council, at the first Subsequent meeting, and approved of by them. 4. That result is briefly shown by the letter written, by my direction, to the Government of India, with the outline of regulations to which it refers, copies of which I have the honour to transmit for your perusal. 5. These outlines, and the minor documents and forms referred to in the letter to the Government of India, were likewise transmitted to our agents at the different Presidencies, who had ample preliminary intimation communicated | O WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 245 * to them by the circular letter of which I have also the honour to transmit a COpy. - 6. I thought it right to transmit all these provisional documents to India by the first opportunity after they were completed, in order that no time might be lost in drawing the attention of the Indian Government to the consideration of the manner in which the new arrangements were to be carried into operation, so that, without delay, their acquiescence might be obtained to all those details which related to the scheme, as far as they were to be carried out in India. 7. The remaining details which related to the mode of operation here, and a local Ordinance which was to give effect to the contracts in India, I promised to complete without delay. These, under the assistance of the Procureur General, have now been completed ; and, after having been carefully considered by the Council, at several recent meetings, the Ordinance, No. 30 of 1858, and the Regulations in pursuance of that Ordinance, have been finally passed. 8. I have now the honour of transmitting this Ordinance, and the Regu- lations” which it authorises. Other copies and explanations have been forwarded, by this mail, to the Indian Government, and full instructions and all necessary forms have been likewise transmitted to the Agents at the Presi- dencies, so that all the preliminary arrangements which have fallen to the share of this Government, for the furtherance of the alterations you have. sanctioned, are now complete. 9. Although I think it right to transmit, for your information, the letters to the Indian Government and agents, and the outline of proposed Regulations which accomprinied them, yet it would, perhaps, have been enough for me to send you only the Ordinance, No. 30 of 1858, and the Regulations in pursuance thereof, now forwarded ; for those two documents are alone necessary to show in what manner your sanction to this scheme, and your instructions for its execution, have been carried into effect; and, for that purpose, I draw your attention to those two documents alone. 10. Notwithstanding the Regulations in pursuance of the Ordinance are to be made, and from time to time altered when necessary by the Executive Council, I nevertheless considered it right, when these Regulations were to be considered, to invite all the members of the Legislative Council to assist in the discussion ; for, as they were to form the first series of Regulations under the new scheme, and required all the care that practical experience of details MAURITIUS. ºn Cl OSuf, ~'s No. * O, 3 **** *~ * Wide Appendix, No. 25, page 344. could furnish, I considered that the new code would be likely to give greater satisfaction, and prove more practically useful, if all those who were conversant with the past systems contributed the assistance which their experience enabled them to afford. I also invited the aid of the Protector of Immigrants, who, likewise assisted at the discussion; and I took care that the Regulations, before their final completion, should be published for general information and comment, and that copies should be sent to the Chambers of Agriculture and Commerce, both of which were materially interested in the measure, and sug- gested some practical improvements. - - 11. I have every reason, therefore, to believe that these results, after all the precautions which have been taken, will not only carry out the united views of the Home and Indian Governments, but will also be found sufficient for all local purposes, and satisfactory to those who hope to benefit by the correct operation of the measure, in all its details. 12. It cannot, of course, be expected that all points of practical difficulty can be at once anticipated by the provisions of these Regulations; but it is satisfactory to know that, under the broad permission which the Ordinance gives, these Regulations may, from time to time, be amended, or others added, according to circumstances, by the Governor in Council, without the ceremony of resorting, upon every trifling occasion, to an amending Ordinance, a course which has always been found inconvenient in such cases, and productive only of complications in the laws themselves, where improved Regulations for their practical operation, are alone required ; and experience proves that in these as in other cases the power to make rules, and the rules in pursuance of the power, should always be kept distinct. O. 13. e K K 3 13. Accompanying: 246 - PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. 6. O = 13. Accompanying the Ordinance I also transmit, and draw your attention to, the usual report of the Procureur General, explanatory of its operation and effect; and I think there is no point connected with that Ordinance which requires any further explanation from myself. ! - . 14. In reference to the stipulations contained in the Regulations under which the engagements in India are sanctioned, there is only one point to which I wish to allude, and that is, with respect to the agency to be employed for . recruiting purposes. - . . - 15. It will be remembered that in my Despatch, No. 22 of the 30th January, upon the subject, I supported that sort of special recruiting satisfactorily em- ployed by the planters, which was carried on through the medium of Indians in their own employment, who well knew the advantages of their service, and who were sent expressly to collect friends and relatives from their native villages, or from their own parts of India, under fair inducements for entering the service of the same employers; and I suggested that these men, when named to the Protector of Immigrants in Mauritius, and licensed by the Agent in India, should still be allowed to be subordinate instruments in recruiting men who were afterwards to enter into their regular contracts, before the Government Agent at the depôt in India. . - 16. These men have always been supported, and very properly so, by the Protector of Immigrants; and my view appears to have been sufficiently acquiesced in by the Emigration Commissioners in England; but there is one passage in Mr. Merivale's letter which appeared, at first, to imply that these men were to be excluded, and which seemed to convey an absolute prohibition against employing any others than the Government Agents and subordinates alone. . 17. Now, if this had been so intended, I fear it would have rendered the plan in practicalle to a great extent, inasmuch as this most useful and valuable class of men, who are known to be instrumental in bringing the largest number of recruits to the depôt, would have been prohibited from exercising their minor functions of village recruiters; the Government Agents would have found it impossible to supply their places except at an enormous expense to this Govern- ment, which it never thought of sustaining ; and the great object of representing localities of estates and the characters of their masters would have been lost, as the planters would no longer have had the inducements of sending confidential servants to India if they were not to be listened to, or allowed to assist in the minor recruiting when they arrived there. - i8. Yet still this sort of recruiting would have been indirectly persevered in, even if unlicensed ; for all agree in saying that it would have been impossible to prevent it, and, therefore, better to license it to a limited extent, and within firm and proper restrictions imposed by both Governments, rather than risk the chance of its being continued to a corrupt and mischievous extent. 19. I therefore thought it right to follow the spirit of the instructions in the Despatch, by taking the different views upon this subject as I found them expressed in the several enclosures it contained, and with reference to my sug- gestions, so far as they seemed to have been acquiesced in ; and, while making it a strict regulation that no planter or other applicant for immigrants' services, should emplºy any other, within the limits of the depôt, than the Agent himself or any of his Government subordinates, yet that there might still be permission to use the services of special agents for village or other recruiting out of the depôt, upon the condition that such special agents should be named and approved here, and be licensed for such special service in India ; and that, after such license, these special agents should conform to all the regulations of the agency, and be in all respects subordinate, within the limits of their authority, to the Government Agents ; and that, in all cases in which they brought recruits to the agency, it should be left to the latter to examine and complete contracts, through the instrumentality of the Agent or his Government Subordinates alone. 20. This I believe to be the spirit of the approved stipulation in this respect; and you will observe that I have fully so explained it, in the letter which has been WEST ln DIA COLONIES AND MAURIT IUS. 247 been addressed to the Indian Government; and I have no doubt that, with all the care that has been taken to secure the honesty of these special recruiters, the arrangement will be as satisfactory to the Indian Government as, I trust, it will be to yourself. - t - 21. Nevertheless, should the employment of special recruiters, even under the stringent Regulations that have been provided, still be objected to, it will be easy to withdraw that privilege, although difficult, perhaps impossible, fully to supply their place by the substitution of Government recruiters alone; and the alternative I have provided, in Articles 5 and 8 of the Regulations, which requires the Agent to recruit at the expense of the Government where no special recruiter has been appointed or licensed, will meet all cases in which no special recruiters are provided. It will only, then, become necessary to make known this result, and to correct those Regulations which refer to the licensed recruiters. But this, I hope, will become unnecessary when this explanation has been received. *. 22. There is another provision in these Articles, to which I also wish to draw your attention, and that is, the duty which the Government has undertaken of fixing, year by year, the fair and reasonable wages that ought to be paid to new immigrants, during their first engagement under industrial residence, whether that first engagement be for one, two, or three years; leaving them afterwards, when they have become personally acquainted with employers and localities, to make the best terms in their power, precisely as if they were old immigrants, and free to act for themselves in all respects. 23. The frauds practised by crimps, both upon the planters and upon the coolies on their first arrival in the country, always led me to think that the intervention of the Government, by regulating the first scale of wages, would be desirable. For it has always appeared to me that where the crimps exact large and unreasonable sums from their employers for the collection of coolies for their service, the employers, who can ill afford to pay such additional exaction, might possibly rely on the adroitness of the crimp to induce the coolies to accept smaller wages than they ought to receive, were they fairly dealt with and fully informed of their own value in the labour-market; but I always feared that the planters themselves would have interposed some objection to the measure as an unreasonable interference with their rights of obtaining | labour at the smallest possible rates. 24. I am, however, relieved of the latter difficulty by finding that the more influential planters themselves, and the whole Chamber of Agriculture, who are their representatives, fully concur in thinking that it will be a fair and proper duty for the Government to undertake, in order to prevent all the dissatisfaction and disappointment which have been experienced with respect to wages on first engagements ; and they have voluntarily come forward with their request that the Governmeat would regulate such fair and reasonable wages upon some just and proper basis. 25. The Regulations, therefore, provide for the adjustment of these fair and reasonable wages, and regulate, in effect, that in all cases in which the Govern- ment Agents in India are alone instrumental in recruiting the labourers and making the contracts, the approved scale of wages and allowances shall be Secured to all agricultural immigrants, although, where such wages and allow- ances are proposed to be improved, or varied, by approved equivalents, there may be a permission to a special agent to propose, and to the Government Agent to complete the arrangement to the mutual advantage of the planter and the immigrant, the special terms being, in all cases, clearly disclosed by the requisitions. At the same time all allotments in this island will be upon the same approved wages and allowances, and thus there will be an uniformity of terms in all cases of Government contracts and allotments during the first engagement for service. , 26. In order that the immigrant may be more reconciled to a three years' first engagement, I have provided that, during the second and third years, there shall be a small, but sufficiently encouraging augmentation of wages, the cause of dissatisfaction having been hitherto supposed to be that the immigrant was kept at the same wages during his first three years of industrial residence. O. 13. K K 4. 27. Where * MAURITIUS. 248 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. ** Encl. 1, in No. 23. 27. Where the skilled labour of artisans, tradesmen, domestic Servants, or other special employés is to be contracted for, the Government cannot under- take to fix any scale of wages and allowances. The proposed rate must always. be stated by the requisitionist. But, to guide in determining whether the terms offered are fair and reasonable, returns will be periodically furnished to the Indian agencies, and published in Indian languages there, as well as at Hauritius, specifying the maximum -and minimum wages usually paid to each -class of such special servants; and when the contracts are made by the Govern- ment Agent those returns will be his guide. -* 28. I consider it unnecessary to draw your attention to any other parts of . the new “Regulations,” as they speak plainly for themselves, and being in full accordance with the instructions I have received, involve no new principle for which an explanation should be given, and I hope it will be found that they fully carry out the spirit of the sanction that has been given both for the con- tracts in India and for the allotments at the depôt in this island. 29. But if there be any points in which you consider that amendments should be made, or in which alterations may be recommended by the Government of India, I shall be quite prepared to carry them out, with the assistance of my Executive Council. - * . 30. It has been considered desirable that both the law and the Regulations should be brought into immediate operation, in order that preliminary instruc- tions should be given to the Agents, and that the first forms of sending in requisitions should be adopted, without delay, by those requiring, agricultural or special services. In no respect in which alterations are likely to be sug- gested will there be any material (if any) alteration in these preliminaries. And, as I am in full confidence of receiving the entire acquiescence of the Indian Government in the provisional conditions which have been already trans- mitted for approval, and which are fully carried out by the present Ordinance and Regulations, I am anxious to give early effect to a measure from which such satisfactory results are sanguinely expected by the plantérs and other employers of immigrants under the new system. - - 31. I shall take care to watch the operation of that system very narrowly, and shall not fail to improve it whenever it appears necessary to do so, and to report its effect when the proper time comes for so doing. I have, &c. - (signed) //illiam Stevenson. Enclosure 1, in No. 23. Sir, - Colonial Secretary’s Office, 24 September 1858. I Have the honour to forward, for the information of the Government of India, copies of Despatches from the Colonial Office, relating to a new scheme of engaging in migrants in India for Mauritius. - 2. The Despatch from the Governor of this Colony, to which the former are replies, appearing to have been already transmitted to the India Board, and the leading points applicable to the question of contracts in India being reproduced in the letter of the Immi- migration Commissioners, need not now be transmitted. -- 3. The Despatch and enclosures sanction two new arrangements :-1. Contracts in India to be obligatory in Mauritius; and 2. A power to the Government of Mauritius to make fair allotments, when it finds it necessary to do so, for the future prevention of a system of crimping, which has in some respects proved injurious to both planter and immigrant. In other respects the present system of immigration, so far as this Government may not find it necessary to improve it in any of its details, remains unaltered. 4. The allotment is to be limited to the first engagement, which cannot be for a longer period than three years, on the arrival of the immigrant in this Colony, when he cannot be a judge of his own interests. When his first engagement is over he will of course be fit to select an employer for himself, and the Government will no longer interfere. 5. These “allotments,” when necessary, will be carried out by details, at the depôt in this island, and the interests of the Indian will always be consulted, in any case in which they may fairly be promoted, consistently with his general engagements. It is not propos a to exercise it in opposition to any fair and-bond fide selection, by the immigrant, of his employer, but rather to promote such selection in so far as it may appear favourable to his - - interests, * º f Tº west INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 249 -* interests, and not to have been wrongly induced by improper agency ; but wherever the emigrant himself has not been able to make bond fide selection of an employer, the Government will use its best endeavours to find one, according to the fair terms of wages at the time ruling, and rations, and according to the best judgment that can be received on the subject. And as the chief object.of Government is to check abuses which have been prejudicial alike to the employer and the immigrant, it may be relied on that fair justice will be ensured to the Indian, in this respect, in the first selection of his service where he , has not himself been able to make his selection. 6. The important point now for the consideration of the Government of India is, the manner in which this Government proposes to carry out the new system of making binding engagements in India, where planters and intended emigrants agree to make such engage- ments at the Indian depot, for the first period of their industrial residences. And in accordance with the Secretary of State's instructions, the accompanying outline of the scheme, which will be carried out by instructions to the agents in India, is transmitted for consideration and approval to the Indian Government. • . 7. It is confidently trusted that there will be an approval of this outline, in the preparing of which great care has been taken to carry out the plan conveyed in the Despatch of the • e * º g º º Government of Mauritius, so far as it has been acquiesced in by the Government at home. And as the articles enclosed comprise all the information that an outline need give, there is no occasion to make any other than the following comment on any part of the contents. 8. With reference to the arrangements as to the recruiting agency to be employed, the injunction that no agent, or sub-agent, or recruiter of the Government be employed, or paid by any private person, has been scrupulously provided for ; nevertheless it has been found quite impossible to dispense with those legitimate recruiters whom we desire to support, or to confine the recruiting to the Government agents alone, as that would have the effect of weakening the machinery, and of destroying that sound and beneficial agency, which is the best way of ensuring the most convenient and satisfactory arrangements for the Indian families, namely, that recruiting by confidential and experienced natives, who having been in this island, and in their master's employment, are constantly sent from here to their native villages and among their friends to explain the nature of the country and the service, and to invite their own friends and families to come out to the same engagement. 9. This was much pressed as the most favourable scheme of private recruiting that had yet been pursued, and which must, in any case, he continued within all proper and necessary restrictions. Therefore, under the sanction given by the Committees of Immigration, we have provided a double safeguard when that sort of recruiting is collaterally resorted to ; one, by requiring every special recruiter so employed, to be mained here to the Protector of Immigrants, and his name to be officially forwarded by the latter to the Agent in India, with any information regarding the recruiter, that the Protector may deem proper to trans- mit; the other, that the Agent in India shall give to such named recruiter a special license to recruit for his employer or employers, wherever he pleases, out of the depôt, and to bring or send his recruits into the depôt to be examined and engaged, and to sign their contracts there, and to be subject to all such regulations as the Agent may impose, for the purpose of making him subordinate to the rules of the Government, and of preserving him from any interference with the Government Agents there or elsewhere. 10. In so arranging these regulations, it is considered that the true spirit of the scheme sanctioned by the Government, has been fully carried out, and care will be taken, from time to time, to instruct the agents in India to be scrupulously particular in promoting the objects of these regulations, taking care that no subordinate agent or recruiter cf the Government shall be in any way interfered with, but that the agents alone shall scrutinise the fairness of the arrangements for the proposed contracts, which latter can only take place within the depôt. e 11, Moreover, the agents will be instructed not to allow the Government recruiters to interfere with any of the men who may be specially recruited for their own masters by the private licensed recruiters, but the agents will be enjoined to carry out such recruiting in a fair and proper manner, and wherever the special recruiting by these licensed recruiters has been ascertained by the Government agent to have been fairly arranged, there will, of course, be no interference in opposition to it by the Government recruiters or the agent. - 12. It is not to be expected that the outline now transmitted can comprehend all details, those details will be worked out at the agencies, under instructions, from time to time furnished by this Government, and if necessary, any future alterations may be suggested which may help to carry out the spirit of the present arrangements. . . — — . 13. An Ordinance is now in preparation, and will be passed at an early meeting of the Council, for giving effect to all contracts that may be inade in India, and making them binding here, and copies of this Ordinance shall be forwarded when passed. But as it will operate on all contracts made under these instructions, it is not considered necessary to defer sending these articles, until the Ordinance (which is only of local importance) is completed. - - 14. It is anxiously desired that these articles may be at once submitted for approval, and as care has been taken to avoid every chance of objection, none is anticipated, and the O. 13. L L agencies Ni AURITIUS. ºmºsºme 250 - PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS, Fucl. 2, in No. 23. agencies at the different presidencies are instructed to act upon them so soon as it is inti- mated to them that they have been approved. Therefore it is made a particular request that in order to save time, you will have the goodness, as soon as the approval takes place, to send an announcement of the fact to our Government agents, at the three respective presidencies, so that no time may be lost in carrying out any orders for special engage- ments which may in the interval be transmitted from Mauritius. 15. Notwithstanding immediate operations may be given to these articles, this Goyern- ment will be glad to attend to any future suggestions for improvement that the Govern- ment of India may wish to make, and will also, from time to time, communicate any changes it may desire. - - *- - - 16. The form of a special engagement, as well as of a general engagement, as suggested by the Secretary of State, is also transmitted. Instructions will be given for its anaend- ment in any respects in which it may be simplified or improved. * 17. In conclusion, it only remains for me to assure you that the Government of this island, while endeavouring to develope its agriculture, and forward he interests of the planters, is ever mindful that these interests are identical with those of the Indian immigrants, and any new measure tending to curtail the just rights and liberties of the latter might possibly give an ephemeral impulse to the prosperity of the Colony, but would assuredly end by destroying the source of that prosperity. At this period the major part of the population is Indian, and therefore has preponderating claims on the Government, more- over, it is clearly to our interest to forward immigration by means of the favourable and alluring reports of the old immigrants, and on this account it is that every magisterial appointment or other local measure has reference to the comfort and well-being of this increasing part of our population. w " - I have, &c. - - (signed) JIumphry Sandwith, - To the Secretary to the Government Colonial Secretary. of India. Enclosure 2 in No. 23. OUTLINE REGULATIONs. 1. ALL immigrants to be introduced from India to Mauritius shall serve in Mauritius for industrial residence and service during five years, and as much longer as will double the number of days of unlicensed absence. Every such immigrant shall, in India, either enter into a contract to serve an individual for a period not exceeding three years, or into a contract with the Government of Mauritius to serve for three years any person to whom he may be allotted by that Government. Both classes of immigrants shall, after three years' service, be free to choose any master with whom to serve. 2. Every immigrant shall be bound to obey all laws and regulations that may exist in Mauritius during any part of his industrial residence. - 3. Any Indian, while at the depôt in India, may engage himself there with any person for service in Mauritius during the first three years, or less, of his industrial residence. The contract for such service, if made at the depôt in India in terms of Regulations, shall be binding in Mauritius in the same way in all respects as a contract of service entered into in the Colony. .-- 4. Every person wishing to contract for services in Iridia must send his application to the Protector of Immigrants in Mauritius, stating the number of immigrants he requires, from what Presidency, the district in which they are to be employed, the kind of employment, and the wages, rations, and allowances which he undertakes to give. Such requisition to be in a printed form to be furnished at the depôt of Mauritius. 5. This requisition to be forwarded by the Protector to the proper Government Agent in India, with full information as to the current rates of wages and allowances for the par- ticular kind of services required, and any farther information which he may deem proper for ensuring fairness in the contract. - - - - 6. The Protector to transmit to each of the Government Agents in India, periodically, at short intervals, statements of the rates of wages and allowances current throughout the Colony for different kinds of labour, specifying the differences between the rates of wages, &c., for newly arrived immigrants, for immigrants of three years; and for old immigrants respec- tively. - - 7. The Agent in India, on receiving the communication from the Protector, to carry out its object with all possible expedition, either by means of Government recruiters alone, or with the assistance of special recognised agents for the intended employers. . 8. Every such special agent must be recognised by the Government Agent in India. His name must be given to the Protector along with the requisition, and be transmitted by him to the Agent in India. Every such agent shall receive a license from the Government’ - - - - Agent wFST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 25. Agent in India, and shall be under the direction and control of that officer, who shall have full power to suspend and withdraw such licence in case of misconduct. - - '9. Where a special agent is not employed, the Government Agent and recruiters will alone be permitted to act; and no private person will be allowed to employ or pay any sub- Agent of the Government. . . . . . -- 10. Every contract of service, whether general or special, must be explained by the Government. Agent to the immigrant before being signed ; and each contract must be certified by the Agent as having been so explained. Each contract shall be completed as soon as possible after the immigrant's arrival at the depôt, and shall be signed before and attested by the Agent or some other lawfully, appointed officer. Forms of contract to be supplied at the Agency. - 11. The contracts, so signed, shall be transmitted by the Government Agent in India, with the immigrants, to the Protector in Mauritius, by whom they shall be registered as soon as possible after the arrival of the immigrants. Their operation shall commence from the date of registration. - - 12. Any immigrant, introduced under special contract, who shall refuse to re-engage with the person at whose expense he was introduced, may redeem the remaining period of his industrial residence at the rate of 1 l. 12s. per annum. If he shall engage with another employer such engagement to be upon stamp of 1 l. 12s. for each year's engagement. The amount paid by the immigrant, or recovered by the Government by way of stamps to be paid to the person at whose expense the immigrant was introduced, or to those in his right. - * 13. All immigrants not specially engaged in India, to be subject to allotment at the depôt for the first portion of their industrial residence either to employers, to be selected by themselves, or to employers to be found for them by the Government of Mauritius, at the usual rate of wages and allowances, such allotments to be made under such regulations as shall be framed from time to time by the Government. i4. In the case of immigrants being introduced without special engagement in India, but having been recruited for individuals i Mauritius by recognised agents, the Government, in making allotments, will give the preference to those for whom the immigrants were so recruited, provided the immigrants are willing to engage with them. 15. Every immigrant who shall have made a special contract in India, and whose services shall not be claimed by his intended employer within seven clear days after his arrival at the depôt, in Mauritius, shall be dealt with in the same manner as immigrants introduced without special contract. The expense of maintaining him during the period intervening between his arrival and his engagement to be paid by Government in the first instance, but with recourse against the party on whose requisition the immigrant was introduced. 16. There shall be hung up in conspicuous places in the depôts, in Mauritius, and at the different agencies in India, notices setting forth, in various Indian languages, the current rates ºf wages and allowances at the time for the different kinds of labour common in the Colony, such rates being stated as for newly arrived immigrants, immigrants having served three years, and immigrants having served their full period of industrial residence, such notices shall also contain any further information which the Government may deem proper to publish. - . 17. The introduction of immigrants under the scheme thus specified to be subject to the regulations already made, or which may be inade from time to time as to the introduction of a certain proportion of women. . - 18. The preceding paragraphs are to be understood as containing merely the outline of a scheme which shall be completed in its details by laws and regulations to be framed hereafter, and which shall also be subject to such modifications as may afterwards be found expedient or necessary. REQUISITION. I [name and designation] request the protector of immigrants to take the steps required by law and regulatious for obtaining for me from the presidency of the immigrants following, viz.:- - [Number of immigrants for each kind of employments to be specified.] I undertake to pay to each immigrant who shall engage with me, in virtue of this requi- sition, the wages and allowances following, viz.:- [Wages and allowances to be fully stated.] Proper lodging and medical care to be also furnished by me to each of the said immi- grants. A. B. [applicant's signature]. The above requisition lodged with me this r: day of 185 . ! Protector of Immigrants, Mauritius. O. 13. - L L 2 MAURITIUS. immº 252 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. 185 . Encl. 3, in No. 23. ForM of SPECIAL ContRACT. . . . WE, the undersigned immigrants from to Mauritius, hereby engage to serve [employer's name, and addition] as - on the estate of in the district of [or otherwise, as the case may be], for the full period of years from the date of registration of this contract in Mauritius, with double the time of any unlicensed absences, in consideration of receiving the wages and allowances following; viz. Proper lodging and medical care to be also provided to us. And we further engage, at the expiry of this contract, to enter into new contracts of service, one or more, with the above-named, or with other persons, to be agreed upon hereafter, until we shall have completed the full period of five years’ industrial residence in Mauritius, with double the time of any unlicensed absences. -- [Here follow the signatures and marks of the immigrants and of employer's agent.] The above contract was explained in my presence to the said immigrants, and signed before me by them, with their names or marks, and by authorised agent of the said at this . day of 185 . - t * A. B. Immigration Agent at - - for Mauritius Government. [List of names and numbers of immigrants to the above contract.] Registened at Immigration Depôt, Mauritius, this day of 185 , by me, Protector of Immigrants. ForM of ContRACT WITH Gov ERNMENT. - WE, the under-mentioned immigrants from - to Mauritius, hereby engage to serve the employers to whom we may be respectively allotted by the Mauritius Govern- ment, for a period not exceeding three years after the date of registration of this contract in Mauritius, with double the time of any unlicensed absences; and we further engage, after the czpiry of such service, to enter into contracts of service one or more with other persons, to be agreed upon hereafter, until we shall have completed the full period of five years' industrial residence in Mauritius, with double the time of any unlicensed absences. [Here follow the signatures and marks of the immigrants.] The above contract was explained to the said immigrants in my presence, and signed by them with their names or marks before me, and also signed by me on behalf of the Government of Mauritius, at this - day of A. JB. Immigration Agent at * for Mauritius Government. [List of names and numbers of immigrants to the above contract.] Registered at Immigration Depôt, Mauritius, this day of 185 , by me, - G. FI. Protector of Immigrants. Enclosure 3, in No. 23. Sir, Colonial Secretary’s Office, 24 September 1858. I HAve the honour to inform you that Her Majesty's Government has sanctioned a new scheme of emigration to Mauritius, which is now being submitted to the consideration of the Indian Government. - f 2. By this mail I have written to the Secretary of the Indian Government, forwarding to him the Despatches and enclosures which sanction two new arrangements; viz., 1st, Con- tracts in India to be binding in Mauritius; 2d, A power to the Government of Mauritius to make fair allotments when it finds it necessary to do so for the future prevention of a system of crimping, which has proved injurious to both planter and immigrant. In other respects the present system of immigration, so far as this Government may not find it necessary to improve it, remains unaltered. * A. 3. The mode in which it is proposed to carry out the new system of engagements in India is as follows: - - The party who proposes to make such engagements shall transmit to the Protector here a requisition, specifying the number and kind of labourers wanted, and the rate of wages and * WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 253 and allowances he is willing to give. That requisition will be transmitted to the Agent at the Presidency mentioned, who will use all lawful means in his power to carry out its object either by Government recruiters alone, or by specially authorised agents of the intending employer. The emigrants so recruited shall be brought to the depôt in India, and shall then have fully explained to them the nature of the contract about to be entered into, which they shall sign in presence of the Emigration Agent. Every contract so explained and signed, shall have the same binding effect as if it had been made in Mauritius accºrding to the law of the Colony. - 4. The allotment is to be limited to the first engagement (which is not for a longer period than three years), on the arrival of the immigrant in this Colony, when he cannot be a judge of his own interests. When his first engagement is over he will of course be fit to select an employer for himself, and the Government will no longer interfere. These allot- ments, where necessary, will be carried out by details, at the depôt in this island, and the interests of the Indian will always be consulted in any case in which they may fairly be promoted, consistently with his general engagements. It is not proposed to exercise the power of allotment in opposition to any fair and bonā fide selection by the immigrant of his employer, but rather to promote such selection in so far as it may appear favourable to his interests, and not to have been wrongly induced by improper agency, but wherever the emigrant himself has not been able to make a real selection of an employer, and wherever the Government is satisfied that an alleged selection of an employer has been produced by fraud or artifice, to the prejudice of the immigrant, the Government will interfere for the protection of the immigrant, and will allot to him an employer according to the best judg- ment that can be exercised on the subject. 5. By a reference to the proposed regulations (a copy of which I hereby forward), you will observe that no agent, sub-agent, or recruiter, of the Government, is to be employed or paid by any private person. With regard to private recruiting you will observe that we have provided a double safeguard, one by requiring every special recruiter so employed to be named here to the Protector of Immigrants, and his name to be officially forwarded by the latter to yourself, with any information regarding the Agent that the Protector may deem proper to transmit ; the other, that you will be desired to give to such named recruiter a special license to recruit for his erºployer or employers, wherever he pleases out of the depôt, and to bring or send his recruits into the depôt to be examined and engaged, and to sign their contracts there, and to be subject to all such regulations as you may impose, for the purpose of making him subordinate to the rules of the Government, and of preserving him from any interference with the Government Agents, there or elsewhere. And in these matters you are requested to be scrupulously careful in promoting the objects of these regulations, taking care that no subordinate agent or recruiter of Government shall be in any way interfered with, but that you alone shall scrutinise the fairness of the arrange- ments for the proposed contracts, which latter can alone take place within the depôt. You are moreover enjoined not to allow the Government recruiters to interfere with any of the men, who may be specially recruited for their own master by the private licensed recruiters, but such recruiting must be carried out in a fair and proper manner, and wherever the special recruiting of these licensed recruiters has been ascertained by you to have been fairly arranged, there will of course be no interference in opposition to it, by the Govern- ment recruiters or the Agent. 6. In order that you may be able to furnish the emigrant sufficient information, as to whether contracts proposed to him are fair and reas, rable, there will be transmitted to you from time to time, from the Protector here, full information as to the rates of wages of the different classes of labour common in the Colony, those rates being calculated for new immigrants, immigrants of three years, and old immigrants respectively, and it will be your duty to inform every emigrant, when about to enter into a contract with any individual in Mauritius, as to whether such proposed contract is fair and reasonable, according to the rates of wages current in the Colony at the time. It is further proposed that every immi- grant who shall not be engaged in India upon a special contact, shall sign before you, and after proper explanations a contract, to serve in the Colony for the industrial period of five years, the first part of which service shall be performed in the employment of any one to whom the Government will allot him, in conformity with the regulations existing at the time. 7. You will also see, from the head of the proposed articles, that, in case of any em- ployer with whom a contract has been made in India, not claiming the immigrant (who shall have contracted with him) within seven days after the immigrant's arrival in the colony, the special conti act shall be held as abandoned, and the immigrant will be allotted in the same way as if he had not been specially engaged. You will easily see that the only object of the proposed rule is to prevent an immigrant, on his arrival in Mauritius from being unduly burdened with a contract made in India, with an employer who cannot fulfil his engagement promptly. 8. The different forms of contracts are appended to the accompanying articles, but these can be modified by you according to the exigencies of the service. In the meantime, you will have these contracts printed in English, and in the languages of your presidency, in order to be ready for signature whenever the arrangements are coupleted for contracts under the new system. O. 13. L L 3 9. You MAURITIUS. 254 - PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. tºº-ºº: No. 24. Governor Steven- son to the Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M.P. 1 December 1858. © . Voc) oeuſ 9. You will also nave forms for the rates of wages printed in the different languages, and these, duly filled up according to the information you receive from this, will be hung up in conspicuous places in and near your depôt, so as to be legible for all Indians frequenting your establishment. - 10. It will, moreover, be proper to be prepared with printed forms of special license for recruiting agents, which may be prepared in the form of the accompanying model, with such tuodifications as you deem proper. 11. With regard to the transmission of emigrants engaged by special contracts in India no change is to be made, upon the rule that every such emigrant is to be sent in a vessel chartered by the Government; at the same time, it is very probable that you will be asked by plainters in Mauritius to forward their bands in vessels, for which they may have made arrangements, and more especially to prevent their being mixed up with the general mass of immigrants to be introduced by Government. Whenever you can give effect to any such arrangements, you will do so, taking care, however, that the same rules are followed as to the accommodation of the men, their provisions, medical attendance, &c., &c., as if they were introduced exclusively under the Government system, and the charter-party of all vessels, even when thus arranged for by private parties, must be made with the Govern- ment, as at present. 12. In my letter to the Secretary of the Indian Government, he has been earnestly requested to convey to you the result of the deliherations of his Government, so that no title may be lost in carrying out the new measure. So soon, therefore, as you have received the approval of the Governor General you will, at once, make every arrange- ment in your power for carrying out the objects of the change, but you will not, how- ever, be in a position to complete any contracts on the new scheme until you hear from me again. * I have, &c. º To the Emigration Agents, (signed) Humphry Sandwith. Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay. * Colonial Secretary. P. S.—During the past year, on arrival, the field labourers have obtained at the minimum, 10 s. a north, with abundant rations, and when free from sirdar influence, 12 s. Ol' 14 8. . Town labourers, carters, &c., from 12s. to 1 l. Servants, dowbies, grooms, tailors, about 1 l. on arrival, after the first contract 2 l. Artizans, as blacksmiths, tinsmiths, carpenters, bricklayers, &c., have not made themselves known on arrival, but there is an excessive demand for such, who at present earn 3 s. and 4 s. 2 day.” - The men on arrival are engaged on the customary rations, viz. – Rice, 13 lb. per diem; dholl or salt fish, 4 lb. per month ; salt, 1 lb. per month; mus- tard oil, 1 lb. per month. * Fo RM OF LI CEN c E To SPECIAL AGENT. THIS is to certify that you [name of special agent] are hereby licensed to recruit emigrant labourers for [employer's name and designation] in Mauritius, in conformity with the regulations published, and to be published, from time to time, regarding such recruiting. This licence is granted upon the express understanding and condition that you are to be under the direction and control of myself and my successors in office, in all matters, relating to such recruiting, and that we shall have full power to suspend or withdraw this licence, if you shall not conduct yourself to our satisfaction. X, Y Immigration Agent at for Government of Mauritius. — No. 24. — (No. 260.) Çopy of a DESPATCH from Governor Stevenson to the Right Honourable Sir E. Bulwer Lytton, Bart., M.P. Mauritius, 1 December 1858. (Received 24th January 1859.) Sir, (Answered No. 172, 26 February 1859, p. 295.) - IN continuation of my Despatch, No. 211, of the 27th September, I have the honour to forward, for the information of the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners, the accompanying copy of a letter from the Protector of Immigrants, giving cover to a declaration made upon oath by the former com- mander of the ship “Bengal Merchant,” from which it would appear that the Commissioners * WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 255 Commissioners have been misinformed as to some of the circumstances stated in their report of the 25th May, which formed the enclosure of Lord Stanley's Despatch, No. 66,” of the current year. 2. The Commissioners were informed that the “Bengal Merchant,” after having been rejected at Calcutta as being, on account of general decay, unfit for the Government service, was, without previous repairs, taken up at Mau- ritius for the conveyance of return coolies, although she had leaked so much on her voyage from Calcutta that her cargo was thrown overboard, and the pumps could scarcely keep the water under, notwithstanding that she had met with no bad weather on the voyage. 3. By the statement of the captain, it appears that she did meet with very bad weather on her voyage from Calcutta, in spite of which she landed her passengers and the greater part of her cargo safely at Mauritius, and that on her return to Calcutta she was taken up for the conveyance of commissariat stores, after undergoing a few trifling repairs. I have, &c. . (signed) William Stevenson, Enclosure in No. 24. T. Hugon to the Honourable the Colonial Secretary. Sir, Immigration Office, 1 December 1858. WITH reference to my letter under date the 9th September last regarding the Despatch of return immigrants, per “Bengal Merchant,” in 1856, and the supposed unseaworthiness of that ship from her old age, I have the honour to request you will lay before his Excellency the Governor the accompanying statements of her commander at that time, who arrived two days ago, to the truth of which he swore before Mr. Esnouf, magistrate of Port Louis. His Excellency will perceive that the ship was taken up by Government on her return, which would prove that she was a seaworthy vessel. I would, in consequence, solicit the favour of this document being forwarded by the mail. I have, &c. tº (signed) T. Hugon, Protector of Immigrants. f At the request of the Protector of Immigrants at Mauritius, I make the following state- ment, which I declare, to the best of my belief, to be correct : 2. That in the month of May 1856, I left the Sandheads for Mauritius in command of the “Bengal Merchant;” that we experienced very bad weather in the Bay of Bengal, and that when in latitude about 10° south, and longitude about 86° east, we experienced a very heavy gale of wind from the south-east, with a fearful sea from the southward, which caused the vessel to leak in her top sides, in consequence of which we were obliged to heave over- board a portion of her cargo; we afterwards arrived safely at Mauritius, when out of about 7,000 bags of cargo landed, there were only about 250 bags damaged. 3. Many vessels of first class arrived at Mauritius (during my stay there) who had been dismasted, and had received serious damages in the same gale. 4. We took ballast in our lower hold, return immigrants in the between decks, with about 30,000 l. of specie belonging to various people in the cabins, and proceeded to Calcutta, where we arrived all safe, and landed our passengers and specie without any accident. 5. The vessel was then taken up for the conveyance of commissary stores and bullocks to Rangoon, and proceeded on her voyage to that port without receiving any repairs, otherwise than having her cutwater repaired, her bows, topsides, and decks calked. I left the vessel (previous to her proceeding to Rangoon), to join another vessel in the same employ, and, to the best of my knowledge, the vessel continued to be employed in the country trade, and was commanded by an European for two years after I left her, and during that time had not been in dock for repairs. (signed) John Cowen, Eate Master of the “Bengal Merchant.” Sworn at chambers in the District Court of Port Louis, before me, the undersigned magistrate, this 1st day of December, in the year 1858. (signed) W. Esnouf, Jun. District Magistrate. O. 3. & L L 4 MAURITIUTS, * Page Encl. in No. 24. 256 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. gººms No. 1. Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M. P., to Gov. Higginson. 8 April 1857. Despatches from the Secretary of State. — No. 1. — (No. 3 13.) CoPY of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P., to *. Governor Higginson. , Sir, Downing-street, 8 April 1857. I HAVE had under my consideration your Despatch, No. 143, of the 14th of August last, reporting the arrival of the French ship “St. Germain " from Bombay, with 172 male coolies and 26 females, embarked at the charge of the shippers, and introduced into the Mauritius without conforming to the condi- tions prescribed in such cases. I have obtained a report on the subject from the Emigration Commissioners, copy of which is enclosed for your information. - As you have been informed that the cost of this transaction has proved much greater than if the immigrants had been duly introduced under the provisions of Ordinance 12 of 1855, and as a considerable time has elapsed without your reporting the recurrence of any similar attempt, I trust that you are correct in your expectation that it will not be renewed. - Nevertheless, I cannot view the case of the “St. Germain” without regretting much that it should add one more to the numerous recent examples of success- ful violations of the laws and regulations of the Mauritius by persons importing immigrants under the French flag. I regret that each officer of your Govern- ment concerned in the case should have believed it necessary to yield, without contest, to this invasion of the law. - I shall not examine the details of the reasoning of Mr. i.)ouglas, who was your legal adviser for the time being. But it does appear a strange anomaly, as you have justly remarked, that people could be treated at the same time both as free passengers and as “immigrants '' in the technical sense, introduced tunder the Government rules. Whenever it would have been in favour of the labourers to be viewed as “immigrants,” they were treated as free passengers; where it would have been in their favour to be free passengers, they were treated as “immigrants.” If the existing laws really do admit of this mode of dealing with these people, they cannot be too soon amended; for so glaring an inconsistency, and the injustice which it involves, must be injurious to the character of the colony, and prejudicial to its prospects of a supply of labour. You will consult the present Procureur General on the subject, and will propose the requisite remedy if the law be so defective as has been supposed. I lament that I cannot view the conduct of Mr. Randall, the stipendiary magistrate, otherwise than with serious displeasure. He began by misunder- standing the instructions to him, not to Sanction any engagement at all of the unlawful immigrants, without special authority ; he allowed them to engage themselves, under the erroneous impression that they were bound to do so under a penalty of 16l. ; he passed a number of contracts, involving a trans- parent attempt to evade the law of the Colony respecting the duration of such contracts; and he justified the whole by declaring his belief that it was his duty to omit every security for the protection of helpless immigrants of a subject race, which was not enjoined upon him “by the law expressed in words.” The Acting Procureur General maintained that the Governor could not prescribe to any magistrate the mode in which he should exercise any strictly judicial function. But whether or not that doctrine is to be assented to in that wholly unqualified form, Mr. Randall's duty of apprising the coolies of the nature of their rights and obligations was clearly not a judicial duty, but one of an exe- cutive and ministerial character, for which he was properly amenable to the Executive Authorities. Holding an appointment created for the protection of - persons WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 257 persons of humble and uninformed condition, it is difficult to conceive how he could persuade himself that it was incumbent on him to lend an office of So high a character to countenance an evasion of the law to the detriment of the weak. Mr. Randall says that he satisfied himself that the conditions were understood by the parties, but that beyond this the law was silent, and that therefore he thought it best to remain silent too, following the law as his silent monitor. But he knew that one of the parties was completely in error as to one of the chief moving considerations to the contract. The law could not reasonably be supposed to require him to see the people recommended to his protection enter into their agreement under a delusion. - Finding that Mr. Randall has filled his office since 1834, and not being aware that he has previously given any ground of dissatisfaction, I am willing to believe that his course did not spring from any desire to favour employers at the expense of labourers; and for this reason I shall content myself with instructing you to communicate the foregoing remarks to Mr. Randall, and to express to him my disapproval of his conduct. I observe that the importers, rather than have a public notification to these immigrants of the admitted defect in one part of their agreements, proposed to cancel them, and to substitute contracts for three years. This arrangement, if it has been carried into effect, will be satisfactory. But you will have the goodness to report whether it has been completed ; and if not, I must request that you will take immediate measures to acquaint these people with their rights, as it is not consistent with the honour of the Government that they should be kept in ignorance of their true position. There is one other point to which I must draw your attention. I perceive that the Ordinance No. 1 1 of 1842, referred to in the Commissioners' Report, contains very stringent enactments against persons who introduce immigrants in violation of the law. I should wish to know whether this or any similar law is still in operation. If so, it would be the bounden duty of your Government to enforce it with the utmost rigour against any fresh violations of the law. Scarcely any penalty would be too large to levy in order to check the deliberate and systematic invasions which have latterly been made on the laws of the island on this subject. It is essential that you make them once more respected, for if the Government of the Colony be supposed to be too feeble to compel the observance of its own enactments, other Governments will be the less willing to trust their people to proceed to it, and the whole community, employers of labour quite as much as the labourers, will be exposed to suffer from the want of due firmness in upholding the authority of the Government and the power of the law. I have, &c. (signed) H. Labouchere. i- — No. 2. — (No. 318.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P., to Governor Higginson. Sir, Downing-street, 18 April 1857. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches, of the numbers and dates noted in the margin, with reference to the stoppage of emigration by the Indian Government until satisfactory quarantine arrangements shall have been made by the Mauritius Government for the care of the immigrants on their arrival there. - I transmit to you, for your information, a copy of a letter, addressed by my direction to the Commissioners for the Affairs of India, on the proposal made by yourself to the Indian Government to send down an officer enjoying their confidence to satisfy themselves as to the fitness of Flat Island for a quarantine station, together with a copy of the letter received in reply. Copies of your several Despatches now under acknowledgment have been forwarded to the Commissioners for their information. I much regret that the Indian Government should have found themselves com- pelled, having a due regard to the welfare and interests of the Indians, to resort to so stringent a measure as the actual suspension of emigration to Mauritius. 0.13. M M Well MAURITIUS. amsºmºmº No. 2. Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M. p., to Gov. Higginson, 18 April 1857. 9 Dec., No. 213. 27 Dec., No. 235. 12 Jan., No. 1. r) 4. Aa | cli 'pº '85; ºr, Qi. I 6 4pril 18 57 258 PAPERS RELATING TO THE * MAURITIUS. * Encl. 1, in No. 2. W arch 1857. 'Nº. - vide wº Encl. 2, in No. 2. WV)* *. I well know what importance the planters attach to a regular supply of labour, and I shall be glad to learn that you have been so far able to satisfy the Indian Government as to lead them to remove the restriction. But beyond the com- munication already made to the Indian Board, I do not see that Her Majesty's Government can interfere in a matter which must be more properly left to be arranged between the Indian and the Mauritius Governments. I think it right to add, for your information, copies of the correspondence between this Department, Mr. Guthrie, and M. Antelme on this subject. I have, &c. (signed) H. Labouchere. P.S.. I have since received your further Despatch, No. 37,” of the 20th February last, but I do not find that it renders any addition to this Despatch necessary. t - - - - Enclosure 1, in No. 2. - , Sir, * - 24 March 1857. WITH reference to your letters of the 6th, 7th, and 9th instant, respecting the suspension of emigration to Mauritius, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Labouchere to transmit to you the copy of a letter from Mr. Antelme, a Mauritius planter at present in England, I am to request that you will state to the Commissioners for the Affairs of India, that the persons in this country who are most interested in the colony are anxious for the accep- tance by the Governor General in Council of the proposal which is understood to have been made to him by the Governor of Mauritius, and that, without desiring in any degree to bias the decision which the Governor General in Council might see fit to adopt, Mr. Labouchere has no doubt that his Lordship will fully appreciate the importance of the question to the colony, and will be ready to adopt any measures which might seem calcu- lated to throw additional light upon it. I am, &c. Sir George Clerk, K. C. B. (signed) H. Merivale. Enclosure 2, in No 2. Sir, India Board, 6 April 1857. WITH reference to your letter of the 24th ultimo, enclosing a copy of a letter from Mr. Antelme, relative to the suspension of emigration from India to Mauritius, I am directed by the Commissioners for the Affairs of India, to forward to you, for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, a copy of a Despatch which has been addressed by the Court of Directors of the East India Company to the Government of India upon the subject. *. I am, &c. Herman Merivale, (signed) George Clerk. &c. &c. &c. h Sub-Enclosure. CoPY of a DESPATCH from the Court of Directors of the East India Company to the Letter dated 14 Nov., No. 183, 1856. Proceedings relating to the sus- pension of Coolie Immigration from India to the Colony of Mauritius. Governor General of India in Council. April 1857. IMMEDIATELY on our receipt of this letter we took steps for communicating the pro- ceedings which accompanied it, to Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, together with an expression of our opinion on the subject. 2. We stated our concurrence in the opinion of your Government, that the fearful mortality among the coolie passengers on the ships “Hyderee” and “Futteh Moobaruck,” was the result of the improper and defective arrangements made by the Government of the Mauritius; and that the treatment experienced by the coolies on these ships would have justified you in suspending emigration to the Mauritius, independently of the infor- mation subsequently placed before you, as to the determination of the Mauritius Legis- lature to persist in quarantine regulations, which could not but expose the coolie immigrants and the ships conveying them to the most imminent peril. At the same time, however, that we stated the conviction that the course adopted by you was imperatively called for, we assure Her Majesty's Government that your only object being to secure adequate pro- tection to the natives of India, proceeding to a country to which your power of direct interference does not extend, the existing prohibition would be removed whenever the Legislature of Mauritius might show a becoming regard to the welfare of intending emigrants, and make the necessary arrangements for the purpose. 3. We now forward to you a copy of a letter from the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, enclosing a letter received by Mr. Labouchere from Mr. Antelme, a Mauritius *. planter WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 259 planter at present in England, stating the measures which the Mauritius Government propose to adopt for meeting the views of your Government as to the treatment of the emigrants, and referring to the intention of the Government of that colony to request that you will depute an officer to examine the arrangements for the reception of the coolies at Flat Island, in the hope that you may thereby be satisfied that all necessary provision is made for their well-being while in quarantine. 4. We are confident that you will not fail to give such favourable consideration to the proposals of the authorities at the Mauritius, as may be consistent with the paramount object of protecting our Indian subjects from the evils to which they would be exposed from defective arrangements as to their landing and quarantine. At the same time we may remark that the sufficiency of the arrangements for the shelter of the immigrants on Plat Island, constitutes only one of the points with reference to which the suspension of emigration was resolved on. Enclosure 3, in No. 2. p Sir, * London, 31 January 1857. I HAD the honour to call upon you on the 30th instant (January), and in your absence was courteously received by Mr. Ball, who informed me that intelligence had reached the Colonial Office of last October, whereby the East India Governments appear to have entirely suspended the emigration of labourers to Mauritius. Mr. Ball informed me that no answer had yet been received from Governor Higginson in reply to the case shown by the East India Government against Mauritius. The cir- cumstances must be very strong, and the evidence pure and beyond a doubt, that would justify an act of such vital hostility against a British Colony of no mean importance. I begged of Mr. Ball to be permitted to see the case and the evidence of the allegations, which request Mr. Ball said he would submit to you. In the absence of Governor Higgin- son's reply, it may be useful in a general way to read “Overland Commercial Gazette,” of Port Louis, 27 December, which I left with Mr. Ball for your perusal, and it seems a very fair statement. The material point is that the Mauritius people are as desirous as the Imperial or the Indian Government can possibly be to afford the reception and accommo- dation to labourers that can be proposed, and the money has been long ago voted and pro- vided for the purpose. 2. I delivered to Mr. Ball, for your perusal, several letters, by which I intend to show the vital importance that the matter should be instantly arranged; a month's farther delay of the supply of labour from India to Mauritius may so disorganise our system as to throw us back for years. On my last interview with you in Downing-street, I found you so fully impressed with the necessity of regular supply of labour, and so willing to promote it, that I feel I have no need to dwell upon that point. -*** One thing, however, I beg leave again to notice, that Bengal alone has been the source of all these difficulties and casualties; Madras none; Bombay none; all healthy; all smooth. Is it not reasonable to infer that at Calcutta the management has been inferior 2 Mauritius calls for a special agent at Calcutta for her own separate interests, and we are willing to pay for that agent's services, and to be responsible for his conduct. We feel that we ought not to be considered responsible for an agent who, like Mr. Caird, has a divided charge and divided interest. It would be far better for all parties that the Mauritius agent at least should be separate and distinct. I now leave this matter in your hands as the natural protector of our Colony of Mauritius. We rely upon you entirely to induce the India Board to inform the Indian Government that everything they ask for shall be done at Mauritius; and specially notice that to remedy the evils attending the suspension of 1856 supply of labour that more than double the average number will be required in 1857. I anticipate the possibility of Governor Higginson having, by direct communication to the Governor General of India, induced a suspension of the October order. But, as proverbially great bodies move slowly, may I be allowed to suggest here that you have it morally in your own power to direct that the accommodations, facilities, and amenities for the Indian immigrants shall be provided at Mauritius and ready for their arrival; that you feel warranted in advising the Indian Government that their precautionary act of suspension may now be recalled, and every exertion made at Calcutta to supply the accumulating wants of Mauritius. You will notice that accommodation is already provided sufficient to accommodate 700 or 800 immigrants, and the location proverbially the most healthy within the tropics. These wooden habitations should be deemed sufficient in that climate, and are preferred by the natives generally to large stone barracks; but you see that no cost is considered where it is wanted to meet alarm in any quarter. - I have, &c. (signed) David Chas. Guthrie, Chairman of the London Mauritius Association, The Right º Henry Labouchere, No 9, Idol-lane, Tower-street. c. &c. &c. - 'O. 13. M M 2 - Enclosure MAURITIUS. sºmºs Encl. 3, in No. 2. 260 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. Encl. 4, in No. 2. Encl. 5, in No. 2. Enclosure 4, in No. 2. Sir, - Downing-street, 12 February 1857. I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Labouchere to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 31st ultimo and 7th instant, on the subject of coolie emigration to Mauritius. I am to state that Mr. Labouchere has not failed to consider those communications, but that he has not felt it possible to take any proceedings in the important matter to which they allude until the arrival of Despatches which are daily expected from the Governor of the Colony. * 3: º: - * # * * * I am, &c. David Guthrie, Esq. - - (signed) PI. Merivale, Enclosure 5, in No. 2. Long's Hotel, New Bond-street, London, Sir, 3 February 1857. IN December last, when the news of the suspension of emigration from India to Mau- ritius reached England, I had the honour of writing to you, stating all the consequences which that measure would inflict upon the Colony. Though you had not received at that time the official announcement of that suspension, you were kindly pleased to promise that you would ask information about it and occupy yourself of the question immediately. As there now exists no doubt with regard to the deplorable event, and as the last mail from Mauritius informs us that the news officially received there has thrown alarm and stupor in the island, I hope you will excuse my again addressing you on this all important matter. I need not tell you that Indian immigration into Mauritius being altogether under the direction of Government, the inhabitants of the Colony cannot be made responsible for the misfortunes which so unfortunately happened at Flat Island, and that it would be supremely unjust to make them bear the penalty thereof. They have deeply deplored those mis- fortunes. I am very far from making them an object of accusation against our colonial administration, and I prefer to believe that they resulted from circumstances which neither could be foreseen nor avoided. However, although I acknowledge that the Indian Government could not be indifferent to the events which happened at Flat Island, it seems to me that they ought to have had sufficient confidence in the officers entrusted by Her Majesty with the Government of Mauritius to expect that adequate measures should be adopted by them in order to prevent the recurrence of similar misfortunes, and that they might therefore have asked and obtained full explanations from the Colonial Government before taking a decision so fraught with danger for the prosperity of the island. This is still more apparent from the positive fact, that, at the very moment when the sus- pension was decided at Calcutta, there was at Flat Island satisfactory accommodations suffi- cient to receive 800 Indians, which I believe is more than the number of coolies ever put in quarantine together before. The devotion of Governor Higginson to the Colony entrusted to his care, is so well known that I do not doubt that he will take prompt steps to enlighten the Indian Govern- ment and obtain the repeal of an order so fatal to the colony; but there are in India great interests which are not favourable to the increased prosperity of Mauritius, and whatever may be my confidence in the devotion of our Governor and the high impar- tiality of the Governor General of India, I am afraid that the suspension of emigration to Mauritius may be maintained long enough to ruin the colony or stop the development of its prosperity if you do not kindly consent earnestly to give us your powerful support. I therefore take the liberty to suggest that you may be pleased to write to the Governor General of India by the next mail, urging him, in case he should not feel satisfied with the explanations which will certainly be given to him by Governor Higginson, to send to Mauritius one or more officers of the Civil Service of India, at the expense of our Colony, to visit our quarantine station and come to an immediate understanding with the local authority as to the final measures which they may think desirable to take in order to con- ciliate the quarantine regulations and precautions with that protection which the Indian Government has a right to expect from us in favour of the coolies, and which we are so willing and ready to give to them. The means that will the sooner put an end to the present suspension of immigration, which threatens to ruin the Colony, however expensive, will prove the best and most economical. Allow me to express the hope that the deplorable incident which now so justly absorbs the mind of all persons connected with Mauritius, may not divert your attention from the important WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. - 261 important questions which I have had the honour to submit, in the name of the Chamber M. AURITIUS. of Agriculture of Mauritius in a memorial addressed by me to your Honour, towards the -end of the month of December last. You may perhaps even find in that incident an *ºmmiss additional reason for multiplying the sources of our immigration, and making us more independent of the Indian authority. . I have, &c. The Right Hon. Henry Labouchere, M.P., (signed) C. Antelme. Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonial Department, &c. &c. &c. Enclosure 6, in No. 2. Sir, & Downing-street, 11 February 1857. I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Labouchere to acknowledge your letter of the 3d instant, relative to the suspension of emigration to Mauritius. & Encl. Ö, in No. 2. I am to acquaint you that Despatches upon the subject are expected in a few days, and that, when they arrive, they shall receive Mr. Labouchere's immediate and most serious consideration. - I am, &c. C. Antelme, Esq. (signed) J. Ball. Enclosure 7, in No. 2. No. 9, Idol-lane, Tower-street, London, * 7 February 1857. AFTER seeing you on Friday, 30 January, I wrote to Mr. Labouchere, referring him to the Mauritian papers I placed in your hands. I fear these documents have not met, for I have no acknowledgment. May I ask the question ? I know this is a very busy time generally; but delay in the matter of supply of labour is torture to the Mauritian, and you must forgive our crying out for help from all quarters against the war declared by the Indian Government against that of Mauritius. I have, &c. J. Ball, Esq., M.P., (signed) David Chas. Guthrie, &c. &c. &c. Chairman of the Mauritius Association of London. Enclosure 8, in No. 2. Sir, Downing-street, 12 February 1857. I HAVE laid before Mr. Secretary Labouchere your letter of the 7th instant, referring to one which you had previously addressed to him on the subject of coolie emigration to Mauritius, and I am to state that Mr. Labouchere has not failed to consider your com- munications, but that he has not felt it possible to take any proceedings in the important matter to which they allude, until the arrival of Despatches which are daily expected from the Governor of the Colony. tº I am, &c. David C. Guthrie, Esq. (signed) JH. Merivale. Enclosure 9, in No. 2. Suspension of Emigration from India to Mauritius. Sir, London, 6 March 1857, No. 9, Idol-lane, E. C. I HAD the honour to address you on 31st January and 7th February last, and for your further information I placed in the hands of Mr. Ball a series of private letters from high- classed men of Mauritius on the same vital question. - In reply, I have received Mr. Merivale’s letter of 12th February and Mr. Ball's letter of 3d March. They intimate (12 February) that you have not failed to consider these com- munications, but that you can take no proceedings till the arrival of the Despatches, then daily expected from the Governor of the Colony, which, on 3d March, Mr. Ball writes, are still incomplete, and that you must now await further information as to the measures pro- posed, or already adopted, by the Colonial Government to remove the Indian Government's objections to the emigration. O. 13 M M 3 It Encl. 7, in No. 2. Encl. 8, in No. 2. Encl. 9, in No, 2 262 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIU.S. * A. 29 Sept. 16 October. Encl. 10, in No. 2. ...~~T closuvºº: It is my duty to submit that this course of “waiting events” may be perſectly just as respects the Governor General and the Colonial Governor, who, in fact, are the “contend- ing parties,” and who have not a dollar at stake, whether the suspension be removed now, or after years of delay. But how does delay act upon the interests of the public? We, the public, have the right to your first consideration ; and it is my province to submit to the consideration of Her Majesty's Ministers that you are bound to enter upon this ques- tion, on which our existence entirely depends, without delay, and without reference to the misunderstandings between your Governor General and your Colonial Governor, who are merely servants of the Crown, and must do her bidding towards her people. On behalf, then, of the “suffering people,” I now pray you to proceed in this important matter. So far as respects these interests, we are willing to take your decision at once upon the materials before you, rather than wait a day longer for the finish up of Governor Higgin- son's case, in answer to Governor General's complaint, which you have in full. Each day's delay costs thousands of pounds to Mauritius; and to delay is to destroy us, and that, too, without an object; and this I beg leave to record, and to make protest thereupon. These letters under reply overlook my previous prayer for copies of or access to the Governor General and Council’s case against Governor Higginson of Mauritius. But the East India Company’s Court allowed me that privilege; and I take the liberty to refer you to minutes by Lord Canning, 29th September. Up to this date his Lordship's views and conduct seem just. He there shows that he knows his own position, and arro- gates no more. He declares that it is the right of the Governor of Mauritius, and not of Bengal, to enforce the quarantine, and the eligibility of the stations. He claims only to call the attention of the Home Government; meanwhile he concurs, though reluctantly, with the Lieutenant Governor's recommendation that no impediment to the departure of emigrants from Bengal should be raised. I take the Governor General's case to 29 September as very sound and sober; unfortu- nately he did not stop there. The Governor General of Bengal declares that the matter of business, viz., the quarantine, and fixing the localities for lazarettes, &c., rests with Mauritius and the Home Government; Mauritius indicated the locality, and voted 55,000 l. The Home Government confirmed these propositions, and no doubt on better grounds than the Government in India could assume to offer. Lord Canning did his duty up to 29 September, and had no call to do more. If Her Majesty's Government think fit to prosecute all or any of the allegations against the Mauritius Government or any of her officers, it is quite open for you to do so; but if you have authorised the reforms required, and have reason to believe that the necessary conveniences for a proper reception of immigrants at Mauritius is provided for, you are surely bound to report to the Governor General of India that you are satisfied, and so get us rid of this suspension, which is now leading us rapidly to ruin. I am, &c. (signed) David Chas. Guthrie, The Right Honourable H. Labouchere, Chairman of Mauritius Association. &c. &c. &c. Enclosure 10, in No. 2. 9, Idol-lane, Tower-street, Sir, London, 9 March 1857. THE East India mail this day arrived here, and brings letters of 6th January to the London Mauritius Association, from the Chambers of Commerce and of Agriculture, with a copy of their memorial to the Governor General of India in Council. Qº These parties desire that their memorial may be instantly submitted here to Her Majesty's Ministers, and their consideration and decision humbly entreated; so that their community may be speedily relieved from their ruinous suspense in respect to immigration. I am now instructed to hurry forward these documents, in the hope that you may kindly give your wishes by the mail viá Marseilles to-morrow, Tuesday, to the authorities of India, and also to Mauritius. - * \ Mr. Guthrie prays for an interview. + I have, &c. (signed) David Chas. Guthrie, .” Chairman Mauritius Association of London. Right Hon. Henry Labouchere, H. M. Secretary of State for the Colonies. &c. &c. &c. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 263 & Sub-Enclosure 1, in Enclosure No. 10. David Charles Guthrie, Esq., Chairman of the Mauritius Association, London. Dear Sir, s. Port Louis, 6 Jannary 1857. WE take the liberty of sending you copy of an address on the subject of the suspension of emigration which the Chambers of Commerce and Agriculture have placed in the hands of his Excellency the Governor, for transmission to the Right Honourable the Governor General of India in Council. . * It would be needless for us to point out to you the vital importance of an early and favourable answer from his Lordship, and we must leave it to you and the other friends of the Colony in Europe to take such steps as may seem most suitable for influencing his decision, whether by seeking the intervention of the controlling authorities at home or otherwise. - We would, therefore, request you to communicate with the members of the Association, and others interested in the island. - From the tone of the Indian press, it may be inferred that nothing but the virtual abrogation of the quarantine laws, and the reception of all emigrants immediately on the main land, will satisfy certain parties at Calcutta. To this point neither the majority of the Legislative Council, nor the population, is yet brought. It is not imagined here that the Governor General can be influenced precisely in the same manner; but numerous articles in the “Friend of India” newspaper, asserting itself to be the organ of Govern- ment, show a virulent feeling against this island, and indicate a hostility to emigration which can hardly be accounted for by the mere difference of opinion on such a question as the contagion of colera, and appear to betray the working of other motives, besides those put forward by the Despatch of the Governor General. This would seem to make it the more necessary to appeal at once to Her Majesty’s Government at home; for surely they will not permit one of her Colonies to be ruined, because the inhabitants desire to preserve themselves from pestilence and death, while at the same time they profess and prove their readiness to take every means that can be reasonably and justly required of them for the reception and care of the labourers who may arrive with contagious disease amongst them. - - . . It is hard upon the colonists; but you will observe that there is not one of the reproaches of the Governor General that can justly apply to them ; all fall exclusively on persons nominated to their places by Her Majesty, or Her representatives, and on not one of whom have the colonists any influence or control whatever. If the chief medical officer, harbour master and others failed in meeting the emergency, or carrying out the wishes of the Govern- ment and population, either from incapacity or indifference, it ought surely to have been moticed otherwise than by the suspension of emigration, which is no punishriment to them. We trust, however, that on a more correct representation of the facts, the Indian Government, or, if need be, the Home authorities, will direct the reopening of immigration, and that you will be alive to the importance of its being recommended, in a fuller stream at first to make up for the interruption, and also without restrictions of a nature to nulliſy the boon. * We are, &c. (signed) Robert Stein, President, Chamber of Commerce. Christian W. Wicke, President of the Chamber of Agriculture. Sub-Enclosure 2, in Enclosure No. 10. To the Right Honourable the Governor General of India in Council, &c. &c. &c. May it please your Lordship, Mauritius, 26 December 1856. WE, the undersigned, are commissioned by the members of the Chambers of Agriculture and Commerce of Mauritius respectfully to approach your Lordship on the subject of a proclamation by the Government of India of 24th October 1856, suspending the emigration of natives of India to this Colony, and humbly to solicit your reconsideration of that measure, and of the reasons by which it appears to have been recommended to your Lordship's adoption. We are aware that in thus venturing to address ourselves to your Lordship, we are taking an unusual course, but we rely on your Lordship's justice and humanity for a favourable and patient hearing of our prayer on a subject of such vital importance to us, and on which a resolution, which, if maintained, will inflict certain ruin on hundreds of innocent families here, and also on many English subjects resident at home, has been taken without our having received any warning, or having had the opportunity of submitting to your fair and impartial consideration one word of deprecation. We are informed that the “want of proper measures for the protection of emigrants immediately on their arrival in this Colony,” set forth in the proclamation, refers to the absence of sufficient accommodation forsuch of them as may arrive in vessels with disease on board; and that the measure has been more immediately caused by reports of the mortality which occurred amongst those placed in quarantine in January last, and which is alleged to have been greatly aggravated by the then insufficient preparations. (). 3. M M 4 - * The MAURITIUS. * 264 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS, tºmºsºms * The inhabitants of Mauritius will not deny that, had they shown themselves wanting in humanity in the manner charged upon them, the measure taken by your Lordship, however severe, might have worn the appearance of justice; and they would have had less reason for remonstrance, or for hoping to enlist your Lordship's sympathies in their favour. But the facts, so far as they are concerned, are far otherwise; and could they hope that your Lordship's attention could be directed for a moment to a review of what took place here, and to the conduct which they themselves observed, and urged on all, as far as their means or influence extended, they would feel entire confidence in your Lordship acquitting them of any want of care, anxiety, and readiness to make every sacrifice in their power to succour and protect the emigrants. The local press, the debates in the Legislative Council, addresses to the Government, and the votes submitted to, and now sanctioned by Her Majesty’s Government, abundantly show that the inhabitants of Mauritius, from the highest to the lowest, were cheerfully ready to make every effort, and incur every outlay for the reception and care of such emigrants as might unfortunately arrive with sickness amongst them. And, if it be borne in mind that when, after an interval of 35 years, cholera broke out amongst us in 1854, the acting Governor, who was himself stricken with the disease, remained but a short time in office, giving the reins to a temporary successor; that our Governor had returned from Europe but a short time before the disease was again brought to our shores, it will cause less surprise and blame that the preparations to meet the visitation were not so complete as they now are. - Uncertainties as to the best means of insuring the requisite conditions of quarantine, combining assurance against dangerous communication with due accommodation, shelter and attendance, existed; the necessary references of all the money votes and other steps to be taken, to Her Majesty's Government, had occasioned delays; but none more deeply than your memorialists regretted these delays, none more urgently called on the authorities to lose no time, and to spare no sacrifice and exertion, amply to provide for the comfort and care of such emigrants as might arrive with disease amongst them. Unhappily from a series of circumstances which your memorialists could not control, but which are not likely to occur in combination again, the preparations projected had not been completed when the ships “ Futteh Mumbarrack’ and “Hyderee * arrived off our harbour, with much and various sickness on board, cholera amongst other dangerous and infectious maladies. Each ship had lost 22 lives during the voyage ; the ship's doctor afterwards avowed that the people came on board in a very sickly and weak condition. The English medical man sent to the quarantine ground, reported that a third of their passengers were already struck with disease. It could hardly have been expected, there- fore, that amongst persons already so affected and predisposed, in whatever circumstances or conditions they might have been placed, sickness would not continue its fatal course; but deplorable as was the loss of life amongst these passengers, a larger proportion of loss amongst English troops has occurred, from the prevalence of epidemic disease in India and various parts of the world, in spite of every precautionary and remedial measure. It has been asserted that these passengers fell victims to want of food and water, the truth of which your Lordship will be able to judge of, by referring to an investigation made here in virtue of an ordinance obtained from the local Government, and sanctioned by Her Majesty on the recommendation of his Excellency the Governor, expressly conferring power to examine witnesses upon oath, and get at the truth. Deploring, as we do, the suffering that occurred, and of which, and of its causes, exaggerated and perverted statements were made, to serve a purpose, we would beg now respectfully to assure your Lordship that great progress has been made in preparing ample accommodation for such emigrants as may be placed in quarantine, not, as has been asserted, on a naked, arid, and unhealthy rock, but on an island the salubrity of which is well known; where there is a plentiful and never-failing supply of fresh water, and where henceforward everything needful will exist in abundance; cottages have been already built to receive in comfort more than 800 people—a larger number than has ever been, or is likely to be, in quarantine at one time. Her Majesty, on application from the Colony, has been pleased to appoint an English physician to reside upon the spot as superintendent. The buildings and accommodations will be further extended if necessary; those only which have in view, not the shelter and comfort of the immigrants, but the means of lodging the guard, to pre- vent communication, are incomplete. - - Landing places, to make the island easily accessible at all times, after a careful re-examination by the harbour master, assisted by the new head of the engineer department (Captain Mann, of the Royal Engineers), and the master of Her Majesty's ship “Castor,” have been planned, and can be completed in three months; and telegraph stations have been already established, by means of which communication from the quarantine ground to the head of the Government is constant and instantaneous. We observe that an anonymous letter, published here, stating that any communication with Flat Island has been impossible for a period of 80 days at a time, had been brought to your Lordship's notice, and not unnaturally had arrested your Lordship's attention. The ex- aggerations of this letter, and the motives for it, were so well understood here, that at the time no one attached any importance to it, nor thought it worth while to contradict it. The truth is, that it has never happened that a landing could not be safely effected for a longer period than eight days together; and a continuance even for so long of such weather as to make landing imprudent has been very rare. In fact, the landing, even without the works now in progress, never offered more danger or discomfort than is constantly encountered at Madras, and the neighbouring port of St. Denis, and many other places. The WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 265 The best proof of this assertion is the fact that though Flat Island has been used as a quarantine station for more than five years, and many emigrants have been placed there at different seasons of the year, not a single accident has occurred to the sick or the healthy at the landing or re-embarkation. - That Her Majesty's Government, the military authorities at home, and the general commanding here, have authorised detachments of Her Majesty's troops to be landed, and stationed on the island, to serve as a quarantine guard, may be taken to prove that Flat Island presents the character we have ascribed to it, and induces the hope that the erroneous ideas of the locality which had been conveyed to your Lordship's mind may be removed. In addition to the arrangements on Flat Island, separate accommodation and means of treatment are being provided on the mainland, for emigrants who may be attacked by small-pox, or other contagious diseases of a similar nature, so as to prevent the possible accumulation of a large number of sick on the same spot. For these necessary works a sum of 55,000 l. has been voted by the local council, after receiving the authorisation of the Secretary of State; and it is certain that if science and humanity prescribe more to render the arrangements satisfactory to the Indian and Imperial Governments, more will be supplied. For the inhabitants of Mauritius will be found urgent to have every means employed which can lessen the mortality, or mitigate the sufferings, of a state of confinement, to which in Europe, and in other English ports as well as this, persons arriving with dangerous and communicable diseases are unfortunately liable. They look upon the isolation of such passengers as a necessary precaution, not lightly to be dispensed with. It is believed here that such means should be taken, as under providence, seem calculated at once to provide for the care and treatment of emigrants arriving in ships with sickness on board, and to guard against the contagion spreading. It was felt by the people here, that it was more humane to subject the passengers of one or more ships to the inconveniences of quarantine in a healthy spot, and with every proper appliance and comfort, or even to detain them for some days longer on board a ship, which by the regulations, must be amply provisioned, and offer them ample room, accommodation and medical attendance, than to risk the re-introduc- tion here of a disease which had swept off, not hundreds, but thousands in the space of a few weeks. And though the present preparations preclude the chance of such detention again, we venture to submit to your Lordship that at the same time that emigration is suspended to Mauritius, it is continued to the West Indies; and that in case of cholera or other disease breaking out in ships for that destination, the length of the voyage mecessarily exposes the emigrants.to a longer detention than has ever occurred here, whether the ship has been directed to land her passengers at once in quarantine, or to cruise for a short period. We need not remind your Lordship that, from Mauritius emanated suggestions, which have been adopted by the authorities in India apparently with the best effect, calling for greater care and selection at the embarkation of emigrants, greater heed to the quality and description of the food supplied to them, a better choice of medical attendants during the voyage, and the enforcement on the owners and captains of ships of more attention to cleanliness, air, and exercise; and the inhabitants of Mauritius will grudge no necessary additional expense to ensure still more strict compliance with these important requisites. Your memorialists touch on these considerations, because they observe in the Indian press, and have reason to believe that representations have been made upon them to your Lordship, in a tone of hostility to the inhabitants of Mauritius and to its interests. In some quarters, their opinions on the at least debated question of the contagion of cholera, seem to be held as putting them out of the pale of humanity, and to make them deserving of every misfortune that can be brought upon them; and a virulent, and to them, an inexplicable satisfaction is expressed at the suspension of emigration, as the proper punishment for their presumed wilful ignorance and inhumanity. - Whether cholera be communicable by human intercourse, as seems now to be the opinion of the most recent authorities in Europe, or not, the inhabitants of Mauritius have thought that, were it only doubtful, common sense and humanity requires the adoption of quarantine as the best human means to preserve themselves, their families, and dependants, and the 130,000 natives of India now settled on their soil from danger. Their conviction is con- scientious and sincere, and based on what passed under their own eyes. They all remarked that during 1854 and 1856, there was no instance of the appearance of the disease on spots previously healthy, without communication being traced to infected places, and they could not shut their eyes to the striking fact that the Island of Bourbon, so near to Mauritius, that the summits of its mountains can be seen from our shores, which may fairly be con- sidered as subject to the same atmospheric influences, and which has the same mixed population of Europeans, Africans, and Indians, remained entirely free from cholera during the months it was raging here. But, during that time, the strictest quarantine was enforced around the French island, and all communication with Mauritius was stopped. It is moreover undeniable, that every outbreak of cholera here has been preceded by the arrival of one or more vessels with the disease on board. We will not presume further, in this address to your Lordship, to discuss the question of contagion; we believe we have said enough to disculpate ourselves from the charge of perverse and wilful ignorance, which at any rate we should only share, with some of the most distinguished physicians of the day, and with more than one of the medical staff of Her Majesty's Army who, after familiarity with cholera in India, had occasion to study and report upon its course here also. But, however well founded our own opinion appears to us to be, we do not cherish it with fanaticism, nor do we seek to injure or vilify those who may not share it. O. 13. N N Your MAURITIUS. 266 2 * PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. gº Your memorialists are fully assured that the sentiments to which they have alluded, cannot have had any weight with your Lordship in Council; but the charge of inhumanity to the natives of India, if believed in by your Lordship, may have such permanent and grievous consequences to this dependency of the Crown, as to enforce from us the most emphatic denial. & - - We do not know what proofs to select against such an accusation. For 20 years, Indians in great numbers have annually sought our shores; many have returned to India with improved habits, increased strength, more robust, morally and physically, and with, for them, considerable wealth. They have encouraged their friends and relatives to come here in pursuit of the same advantages. Many, after a short residence at home, have returned to settle permanently here; and in all this time, we defy any proof of inhumanity or want of care to be brought forward against the colonists in whose service they have been. *m. That there do occur here, as in other communities, particular instances of neglect or hardship, is only to say that human nature is imperfect here, as elsewhere ; but that any labouring population in the world is more protected by the laws and the authorities, or more generally well treated and prosperous would be an assertion entirely at variance with facts. Much unfounded distrust and suspicion against the Mauritius planters did exist after the slave emancipation, but repeated inquiries, the statements of travellers and dispassionate observers, of officers of Her Majesty's Army and Navy, of distinguishéd members of the Honourable Company’s civil and military service; the declarations of our late Governor Sir George Anderson, and of our present Governor; both intimately acquainted with the state of the Indian population at home; form a body of testimony as to the well being of the labourers here which we may boldly refer to as outweighing any contrary assertions. By such testimony, by all that we have read in books of travels, or have gathered from the evidence before Committees of Parliament and from official reports in India, we have been constantly left with the conviction that the Indian here is at least in as prosperous and happy a state as at home. If we might trust to the representations of the Indian press we might even believe that in every respect, mcral and physical, the condition of the Indian labourer here contrasts most favourably with that of the ryot in India. We do not know how Europeans in India treat their native dependents in such circum- stances, but it is a fact undeniable that here, notwithstanding our opinions as to contagion, the Indian labourers, during the recent visitations of cholera were watched over by their masters who gave them their constant personal attendance, and that many passed nights by the bed-sides of their sick labourers; applied the remedies, and chafed their limbs with their own hands. - It is with shame and relectance that we feel compelled to defend ourselves before your Lordship by such statements; independently of the common feelings of humanity which their belief in the contagion of cholera seems to have been held a sufficient ground for denying to the inhabitants of Mauritius, it cannot but occur to your Lordship that their own interest must present some guarantee for the fair treatment of the labourers, on a continued recruiting of whom their all depends. But, if nnfortunately prejudiced and unfounded statements have misled your Lordship on this subject, they humbly invite the fullest inquiry, confident that such an investigation by any competent and impartial person whom you might appoint, would dispel all doubt from your Lordship's mind and fully confirm the assertions which they are under the necessity of making in their own favour. Having thus endeavoured to place the inhabitants of Mauritius in a true light before your Lordship, as regards their feelings towards and treatment of their Indian labourers, your memorialists now beg succinctly to state the consequences which a continued sus- pension of emigration will inflict on the Colony. - It is doubtless unnecessary to inform your Lordship that its sole produce is sugar, and that that produce is entirely raised by emigrant Indian labourers. The emigration was at first entirely conducted by private individuals. It was put a stop to in 1839, in consequence of certain abuses alleged to be committed in India. In 1842, under regulations made by the Imperial and Indian Governments jointly, it recommenced, and has continued uninterruptedly till now, to the great advantage of the emigrants them- selves, as well as of this Colony, and of the trade both of England and India, as will partly appear from the figures which we shall have to state below. The inhabitants of Mauritius could not but place reliance on the often-declared disposi- tion of all parties, and every Ministry in England, to aid her Sugar Colonies in their com- E. with the slave labour of foreign countries; and the respective Governments of ngland, India, and Mauritius having, after due deliberation, settled the details of emigra- tion, and officers having been appointed duly to carry out the regulations, they felt perfect confidence in an uninterrupted supply of labour, and that no measure so fatal to them could again be resolved on and carried into execution without warning. Under this conviction, and in spite of severe trials and losses, the colonists displayed energy and perseverance to surmount the difficulties brought upon them by the changes of commercial policy. Encouraged by the repeated assurances of successive Secretaries of State that so long as the natives of India should be willing to come here and labour, there should be no artificial hindrance of emigration, nor limit to it, but the will of the people themselves, and the means of the Colony to bring, employ, and pay them, they strained every effort, and obtained new capital; improved and increased the machinery necessary to their industry, at the same time that they bettered and extended their cultivation. # . . . . this WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 267. this industry their whole fortunes, and a large amount of English capital, has been, and is employed, and this Colony might be said, at the very moment of this unexpected blow from #. Lordship's hand, to be triumphantly solving the questions of free labour and free trade. - Your Lordship will see the magnitude of the interests involved when we state that our production of sugar, which was, in 1843, only 30,000 tons, has been raised to 120,000 tons, almost a third part of the whole consumption of Great Britain. On this production, which was still on the increase, depends, a large and increasing trade with England, and also with India, importing annually from the latter country, produce to the value of nearly half a million sterling, 800,000 bags of grain alone, and employing 70,000 tons of shipping. If, unfortunately, your Lordship in Council should be induced to continue the suspension. of emigration, not only will this prosperous progress be arrested, but ruin, rapid and universal, will fall on every interest in this Colony. Every inhabitant, merchant, or planter, and their families and dependents, and ultimately the Indians settled here them- selves, must suffer, and English capitalists will again have to lament not having lent their money to develope the resources of a foreign, rather than a British Colony. To cultivate the soil on terms which will permit the owner to live and do honour to his engagements towards others, it is beyond doubt that a certain number of emigrants are required to be introduced annually, to supply the place of those who return home with their savings, and of the still larger number who, as soon as they have saved a small capital, or find a more tempting occupation, quit agricultural labour. Already the bare announcement of the suspension of emigration, is increasing the rate of wages to a point, which will speedily make it doubtful whether it be wise to put fresh plants into the ground; and this rise in wages will, at first at least, accelerate the rate at which labourers will retire on their savings, and the number of available hands be diminished. The consequences of a prolongation of this state of things cannot be either distant or doubtful. The crop of sugar, on which all the engagements and revenue, whether of the Government or of individuals, exclusively depend, will be made at a loss, and rapidly dimi- nish. It is not too much, therefore, to say that a continuation of the suspension for six months, may inflict on this Government and on individuals pecuniary losses which it may require years to repair; and that its perpetuation will inevitably degrade this Colony from its pre-eminence as a self-supporting dependency of the Crown, and entail irreparable ruin on the inhabitants, for no fault of their own, without any authentic inquiry having been made, and without their having had the privilege of being heard in their own behalf. Although these considerations might seem to be out of your Lordship's province, as charged with the government of another portion of Her Majesty's dominions, yet we appeal to your Lordship to look upon Mauritius as an integral part of the same empire, and entitled to the aid and sympathy of all who bear trust under, and owe allegiance to, our gracious Queen. * The trade of this island is, as we have shown, important not only to England, but to the empire over which you preside, and depends entirely on its production of sugar. We will not dwell at length on the effect on the people of England of the serious dimi- nution in the production of that essential article with the present enhanced price and limited supply at home; nor on the cutting off of the considerable outlet for Indian produce, and employment of Indian shipping. - But there is another side of the question, to which we respectfully request to be permitted briefly to refer. That is, to the effects of the suspension of emigration on many of the natives of India themselves. Not to mention the hardship on such Indians as have gone back to their country to fetch their friends and relations to share in their prosperity here, and many of whom have left a portion of their earnings and their wives and children to await their return, we have reason to believe that the number of natives desirous to come here with the prospect of bettering their situation, has not diminished. In a recent number of a Calcutta newspaper we read, “If the suffering” of the poor in India “springs from over population, it is possible to create a system of internal emigration to our own waste lands, greatly to the benefit of the revenue.” We venture respectfully to submit to your Lordship in Council that the existence of such a doubt would appear to justify our expecting your Lordship to be the more Inclined to listen to our petition, and to permit such natives as may be desirous of seeking comfort and employment elsewhere than in their native villages, to follow their inclinations, and avail themselves of the advantages open to them here. The suspension of emigration to Mauritius must tend to force the people either to the less salubrious climate of the West Indies, in spite of the risks of the longer voyage, or to the French island of Bourbon. It is well known that many natives of the British terri- tories have been, and probably will be, introduced, through Pondicherry, into that island, where at least, they are not better treated than here, and where quarantine is most sensi- tively and strictly enforced, and where no quarantine, except at anchor or under sail, is ossible. - p We are assured that your Lordship would sympathize with the feelings of British colo- nists contrasting their own ruin with the full career of prosperity of a foreign, though friendly colony; a contrast which must be the more poignant from the ſact that this pros- perity should in part depend on the continued flow of labour from sources closed to them- selves, and to which they might appear to be entitled to the freest access. O. 1 3. N N 2 We MAURITIUS, 268 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. &ºmº Encl. 1 1, in No. 2. We feel that we have intruded at great length on your Lordship's attention; but to endeavour to give your Lordship a more correct and favourable impression of what has been and is doing for the reception of the natives of India here, is our only resource. The only safety of the weak is to appeal to the justice of the strong; the moral responsibility of a decision will lie with your Lordship; and we cannot but believe that when the truth has been made known to you, your Lordship in Council will absolve us of the charges laid against us, and that your sympathy and equity will avert from us the calamities .#. so undeservedly and unexpectedly to threaten us. In conclusion, we trust that we have proved to your Lordship— That the occurrences at Gabriel Island in January last, whatever may have been the want of proper measures and foresight on the part of some of the Government servants, cannot be imputed to, nor justly visited upon the inhabitants of Mauritius. - That as soon as they were known to them, they urged on the authorities to hasten their exertion to give aid and relief. - r That they have impatiently urged the perfecting of a proper lazaretto, accessible at all times, and fitted to receive, in comfort and with every appliance, a larger number of inmates than have ever been at one time in quarantine. That Flat Island is perfectly suited in itself for a quarantine station, and can and will be made easily and safely accessible, at all times, by the works now in hand. That Her Majesty has nominated a competent medical Superintendent to reside there. That the consequences of the prolonged suspension of emigration will be dreat hardship to many natives of India, and certain ruin to an unoffending British Colony. But if any doubt remains in your Lordship's mind as to the truth of these statements, the colonists invite your Lordship to commission any competent and impartial inquirer to verify them, and to ascertain that measures to your Lordship's satisfaction are taken here “to enable immigrants to land immediately on their arrival, and, if they are compelled to keep quarantine, for securing them comfortable and spacious lodging, with proper food, comforts, and medical assistance during the period of their detention.” - For all these reasons, your Lordship is humbly, but urgently, entreated to take this peti- tion into your prompt and favourable consideration; to be pleased to allow emigration to Mauritius immediately to recommence; and to direct the agents at the different ports in India to resume the transmission of emigrants as before. And we will ever pray. (signed) Christian W. Wiehe, President of the Chamber of Agriculture. Rt. Stein, - President of the Chamber of Commerce. James Fraser. Ulcoq. Js. Canonville. C. Rougé. P. A. Wiehe. JEdward Hart. Enclosure 11, in No. 2. Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Coolie Immigration, Mauritius. Sir, No. 9, Idol-lane, 7 March 1857. SHOULD Mr. Labouchere desire any farther information than is already furnished by Governor Higginson, from Mauritius, you may have reliable evidence from Captain Gillespie, of the ship “Lord Raglan” 500 ton ship, just arrived from Mauritius. His address is at Mr. George Duncan's, 147, Leadenhall-street. Captain Gillespie has been familiar for years with the navigation and anchorages of these localities. Also in the transport of coolies, and is one on whose evidence you would have satisfaction, inasmuch as his testimony will go to prove— That by laying down moorings, the anchorages may be made perfectly good, both to windward and leeward of these islands. And, secondly, as to landing-places on that island, Captain Gillespie will inform you, that for any ordinary purposes, the erection of jetties is quite easy, there being no natural difficulties. It is thus the Bengal difficulties may be wiped off. Were Flat Island not wanted for use, no one would think of laying down moorings or of constructing landing-places, and those on the spot are in better position than those distant, to decide remedies the best fitted to the contingencies. I remain, &c. John Ball, Esq., M. P., (signed) David Chas. Guthrie. &c. &c. &c. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 269 Enclosure 12, in No. 2. Sir, . Downing-street, 17 March 1857. I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Labouchere to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 6th, 7th and 9th instant, on the subject of the suspension of emigration of coolies to Mauritius, ordered by the Governor-General of India in Council. . I am to state that it rests with the Government of India, and not with the Secretary of State for the Colonies to decide whether the arrangements made for the treatment of Indian immigrants in any colony are such as will induce the Indian Government to permit the departure of the coolies from India, and it is impossible for Mr. Labouchere to express even an opinion on the subject while he is ignorant of the reply made by the Mauritius Government to the Despatch of the Governor-General, or of the arrangement which they propose now to establish. The Mauritius Government has very properly placed itself in direct communication with that of India in order to save time, and Mr. Labouchere trusts that the proposals of the Mauritius Governmment may have been found satisfactory, but as he has no authentic intelligence of what they are, he can of course express no opinion upon them. With respect to the evidence of Captain Gillespie which you propose to adduce, it will be impossible for Mr. Labouchere to form any conclusions from partial statements which may be made either for or against the propriety of retaining that island as a quarantine station, but he will be glad to receive and transmit for the consideration of the Government of India any reliable testimony which may be communicated to him in writing by persons having the requisite local knowledge. The memorial from the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce to the Governor General of India in Council, enclosed in your letter of the 9th inst., was received at this department on the 10th instant, the day of the departure of the Overland mail, and it would not have been possible under any circumstances to transmit on that day to the Indian Government, through the Board of Control and Court of Directors, so voluminous a document. But Mr. Labouchere observes, that this memorial has already been forwarded direct from Mauritius to the Governor General, and he has no doubt that it will receive from Lord Canning and the Council of India the attention to the respectability of the body from which it emanated. It is impossible for Mr. Labouchere to propose to the Board of Control and Court of Directors to found any communication on the subject to the Government of India, except upon an authentic representation of the views of the Colonial Government, and on a statement of the arrangements by which they propose to meet the objections of the Indian Government. In reply to your request for an interview with Mr. Labouchere, I am to state that Mr. Labouchere will appoint a time to receive you at this department, but cannot at present name a day, as he is obliged to leave town for a week at least. But he desires me to apprise you that in his present state of information he has no opinions to communicate to you, and that it is in vain to urge an interference by him with the Government of India in a question on which they have, and he has not the means of judging, and on which they lie under a heavy responsibility for human life and suffering. I have, &c. D. C. Guthrie, Esq. - (signed) H. Merivale. Enclosure 13, in No. 2. Sir, - Long's Hotel, New Bond-street, 4 March 1857. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 3d instant, and I beg of you to express my best thanks to Mr. Labouchere for the readiness with which he has so kindly informed me of what he has received from the Government of Mauritius with regard to the suspension of immigration. I need hardly say that this all-important question con- tinues more and more to occupy the attention of the Colony, and of all those who in Europe are interested in its prosperity. I beg leave to forward a number of the “ Mauritius Commercial Gazette’ of the 30th of December last, containing the Minute of his Excellency the Governor to the Legislative Council, in which he states the measures he proposes to take with the view of satisfying the Indian Government. - His Excellency therein informs the Council that he intends praying the Indian Govern- ment to send to Mauritius an officer enjoying their confidence, who may visit Flat Island, and ascertain whether, with the works recently made or contemplated, it affords a proper place for quarantine. I beg to remind you that I had the honour of suggesting the same thing to Mr. Labouchere immediately after the arrival of the mail confirming the news of the Suspension. I therefore believe more than ever that is the present state of things. The Right Honourable the Secretary of State can without inconvenience put himself in communication with the Indian authorities at home, and with their concurrence write to the Governor General of India, urging him to send as soon as possible one of his officers to Mauritius, with O. 13. N N 3 - full MAURITIUS. Tºmº Encl. 12, in No. 2. Encl. 13, in No. 2. 270- PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. full power to come without loss of time to some satisfactory understanding with the local Government, and to settle finally that unfortunate question of quarantine at Flat Island. Such a letter, without committing Her Majesty's Government, might have the best result, and would be acknowledged with gratitude by the Mauritius colonist as a proof of the Encl. 14, in No. 2. No. 3. Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M, P., to Governor Higginson. 18 April 1857. * Page 170, goodwill of the Colonial Minister in their favour. Having visited Flat Island, which contains a beautiful even space of land, 600 or 700 acres in extent, and the access to which may be rendered easy by means of a pier or jetée in the leeward part of the island, I remain convinced that the Governor General of India has been completely deceived as to the alleged inconvenience against it as a quarantine station, and that the best manner of undeceiving his Lordship is to have the place visited by some officer enjoying his confidence. If this question is left to be solved by a pro- tracted correspondence, unavoidable delay must occur, and the Colony may be ruined before the hour of justice comes for her. - I have, &c. (signed) C. Antelme. John Ball, Esq., M. P. - Under Colonial Secretary. . . Enclosure 14, in No. 2. Sir, . Downing-street, 26 March 1857. I HAVE laid before Mr. Secretary Labouchere your letter of the 4th instant, and I am to acquaint you that a copy of it has been forwarded to the Commissioners for the Affairs. of India, with the remark that the gentlemen in this country who are most interested in the Colony of Mauritius are anxious for the acceptance by the Governor General in Council of the proposal which is understood to have been made to him by the Governor of Mauritius. - Mr. Labouchere has at the same time observed that, without desiring in any degree to bias the decision which the Governor General in Council might see fit to adopt, he had no doubt that his Lordship would fully appreciate the importance of the question to the Colony, and would be ready to adopt any measures which might seem calculated to throw additional light upon it. I am, &c. (signed) H. Merivale. C, Antelme, Esq. - ! — No. 3. — Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M.P., to Governor Higginson. - (No. 319.) Sir, Downing-street, 18 April 1857. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 14th instant, No. 3,” in explanation of the causes which led to the great mortality which occurred amongst the Indian emigrants who arrived in the ships “Hyderee” and “Futteh Mumbarrack.” I am of opinion that Dr. Clinkew's vindication of the delay to send men and materials for building huts on the ground of the danger to arise from so much communication with Gabriel Island and the lazaret is a very insufficient vindi- cation, and it seems hardly consistent with his statement that additional supplies of food and medical comforts were called for by Dr. Finlay, and (as he leaves it to be inferred) furnished accordingly, about every five days during the progress of the epidemic; nor is it satisfactory that a single European and one native doctor should have continued to be the only medical attendants of the lazaret, when Dr. Finlay's reports, however meagre they may have been, must doubtless have shown that the extent of disease and mortality was far beyond the powers of any one or two doctors to deal with ; and when it appears that a military medical man was ready to volunteer his services, and an adequate pecuniar inducement might very probably have induced other medical men to undertake the service. I shall forward copies of this correspondence to the Commissioners for the Affairs of India for their information, and for that of the Court of East India Directors. I have, &c. (signed) H. Labouchere. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 271 - —- No. 4.— (No. 32.1.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. to - Governor Higginson. Sir, Downing-street, 21 April 1857. I TRANSMIT to you for your information a copy of a communication I received from Mr. C. Antelme, of Mauritius, with reference to the discriminating duties on sugars imported into the United Kingdom, and on various points connected with the immigration of labourers into Mauritius. - . I should wish to receive your report and opinion upon the complaint that immigrants introduced into the Colony at the public expense may, by repaying the cost of their passages, escape from all obligation to labour, and at the expira- tion of their first engagements may again commute the remaining two years of their industrial service for a money payment. It may no doubt be inconvenient that immigrants, introduced virtually at their own expense, should come to the Colony as forming part of the annual quota of labourers ; and if this is the case under the present law, there is no reason that I am at present aware of which should prevent the Council from enacting (as in the West Indies) that every immigrant introduced by Government shall be inden- tured for three years on his arrival. But I could not agree that such an immi- grant should be debarred from the privilege of commuting the remaining two years of his industrial residence at the expiration of that indenture. As long as contracts for service are confined to three years (and I am not prepared to sanc- tion an extension of that period), the provision is valuable to the coolie, and it cannot well be materially inconvenient to the planter. Nor could the alteration be made without a revision of the system established after so much consideration in the West Indies in 1854. * I have, &c. & - (signed) H. Labouchere. Enelosure in No. 4. To the Right Honourable Henry Labouchere, M. P., Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonial Department. May it please your Honour, 1. YoUR Honour having kindly consented to receive from me a memorial on all the questions which I have been instructed by the Chamber of Agriculture of Mauritius to submit to your consideration, I beg to state what follows: 2. The first of all the conditions required to secure the prosperity of a colony placed as Mauritius under a bureaucratic government is to put an able administrator at its head. The fate of that interesting Colony, therefore, in great part depends on the choice of its Governor. This is the reason why I have so earnestly begged of you to perseyere in the rule adopted since several years to send none but able civilians as Governors of Mauritius. 3. I now beg to call your attention to the hindrances which impede the development of the sugar production in Mauritius. The first is the scale of differential duties on sugar in England. 4. That important question has been treated in all its details by the Chamber of Agri- culture of Mauritius in a memorial addressed to you, and bearing date the 25th October 1855. I beg leave to refer to that memorial for any information that you may want on the Subject. 5. I cannot, however, help to repeat here what the memorial also says, namely, That sugar, as a general rule, is more or less fine in proportion as the process of its manufacture is more or less improved, and that taxing that sugar more and more, as its shade approaches that of the refined, is taxing progress in the Colonies, and creating a monopoly in favour of the home refiners. 6. I beg to add, that sugar paying 17 s. 6d. duty is almost never sold in the British market more than 6 d. or 1 s. at most dearer than sugar paying 15 s. It thence results, that the inferior quality gives to the producer higher prices than the superior quality, which, in relation to industrial liberty and progress, constitutes a monstrous injustice. - O. 13. N N 4 - 7. Lastly : MAURITFUs. gºssºmºse No. 4. Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M. P. to Governor Higginson. 21 April 1857. Encl. in No. 4. 272 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. 7. Lastly: With reference to this point, I submit that it often happens in the colonial market, that when the sugar offered for sale is not decidedly under the shade paying 15s. duty, the merchants refuse to purchase it, unless with a strong reduction in the price, under the plea that they are in doubt as to the amount of duty to be paid at home. Thus it is not rare at all to see in Mauritius sugar inferior in quality selling dearer than the one of a finer colour. 8...I now come to our system of immigration, and to the reforms which it imperiously requires. 9. Immigration, as you know, is the key-stone of our prosperity. Without it, our colonial structure would crumble, and our island, which now offers to the astonished eye of the traveller the sight of a magnificent cultivation, would soon become a desert, useless to Great Britain. - 10. Up to this day the Colony has received its labourers almost exclusively from India. Since sometime only the colonists turn with anxiety their eyes towards the coast of Africa. The necessity of having in the Colony a resident population of labourers, the desire to create a new source of immigration in case cholera should continue to be introduced from India, and also the Superiority of the African's labour above that of the Indian, demonstrated by the experience of the Island of Bourbon, have called public attention more strongly than ever to the question of African immigration. 11 I can, therefore, state to you that the colonists must have learnt with great disap- pointment that the Imperial Government seems to contemplate the suspension of African immigration. For my part, I do not hesitate to declare, that by shutting to the Africans the entrance of Mauritius, Her Majesty's Government would in reality be shutting to them the entrance of Christianity and civilisation, and that such a decision could not be too much regretted in relation both to morality and religion. 12. The Government seems to fear that in default of free emigrants, slaves or prisoners may be embarked on the coast of Africa, or that men embarked for Mauritius may be car- ried to slave colonies, or again, that other nations may accuse the British Government to defend the slave trade to other countries only in order to make it itself in the interest of its own colonies. 13. It is easy to refute those three arguments. 14. As to the first point, I answer that the regulations published in Mauritius having enacted that emigrants for the Colony can be taken on the coast of Africa only at places where there is a British consul or agent, and with the authorisation of the latter, it cannot be feared that prisoners or slaves may be embarked for Mauritius. 15. As to the second point, I say that the regulations of which I have spoken having prescribed that no ship can go and take emigrants without having obtained from the local Government a licence to that effect, and given a security, there is every guarantee against any illegitimate trade. But I go farther: I declare that the Colony would not refuse, as an additional guarantee, to bear the expense of an official agent for each vessel named by the local Government. 16. As to the third point, I shall observe that, France, the United States, Sweden, Holland, Belgium, and I think also Spain and Portugal, having consuls or agents in Mauritius, and all those officers being ready, I doubt not, to declare collectively that there is no vestige of slavery in Mauritius, and that in no country of the world labourers are freer and happier than in that Colony: it would be always easy to answer any clamour that jealousy, envy or passion might raise against the British Government. 17. Let, then, the Government take all possible precautions in order that African immi- gration may give rise to no abuse. Letitimpose upon the colonists, if necessary, sacrifices and expenses in order to ensure the execution of the regulations. I conceive all that ; but it is repugnant to my mind to believe that Her Majesty's Government may condemn the Africans in an absolute manner, never to go out of their territory, and refuse to them the right of going to a British Colony possessing two Christian Bishops, in search of labour, true religion, and the blessings of civilization. 18. I shall not terminate my reflections on this important matter without observing that the Anglo-French company which has contracted for making the postal service between Mauritius and Aden, has chiefly done so in contemplation of the advantage which is expected to obtain from the transport of a certain number of African immigrants from Aden to Mauritius, and that should the company be deprived of that resource, it can probably not fulfil its contract with the Government. Thus, the Colony, without having done anything to deserve such treatment, would lose by the same blow African immigration, which was conceded to it in 1851, and a line of steamers placing it within 30 days from England. 19. I entreat you to be pleased to reflect seriously before finally taking a decision which must bring such serious consequences. 20. I now arrive to the system of immigration in general, and to the reforms which it requires. 21. Our WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 273 21. Our system of immigration has been conducted since its origin in conditions quite exceptional. Since several years only Government seems to understand the necessity of coming back by degrees to the common law. 22. By a subversion of all principles, the immigrant introduced into Mauritius for the wants of our agriculture, can, if he chooses it, escape all obligation of labouring by reim- bursing to the Government, on his arrival, the price of his passage. 23. On the expiration of his first engagement, he can still avoid a second one, by making a reimbursement proportioned to the time wanting for his completing his five years of ndustrial residence. - - . 24. If he finds it convenient during the time of his engagement to desert his master, or absent from his labour, that does not prevent the engagement from expiring at the time originally fixed. He is not bound to make up for his time of voluntary absence. All that the magistrate can do is, to deduct such time from the computation of his five years’ indus- trial residence. { 25. Lastly, if he feels inclined to offer his services for four or five years, the law inter- feres, and prohibits his engaging himself for more than three years. 26. The Chamber of Agriculture of Mauritius think that on all those points the law requires to be reformed. - 27. As the Colony demands nothing but labourers to the immigration, the chamber is of opinion that the immigrant ought not to have the right to free himself from the obliga- tion of labouring. The only question would be to instruct the immigration agents in India to explain well to the immigrants before their departure, the nature of the obligation contracted by them towards the Colony. The facility given to all the Indians of coming to Mauritius at the expense of the colonial treasury, with power to reimburse the price of their passage on their arrival in the island, has only served up to this day to introduce into the Colony a certain number of petty traders, who themselves take new immigrants in their service, and who are rather a charge than an advantage to Mauritius. 28. The chamber thinks also that the Indian ought to be bound, at the expiration of his engagement, to make up for all his days of absence if they amount to too considerable a figure each month. A discretionary power ought in this respect to be left to the magis- trates, who might, according to circumstances, condemn the Indian to make up for his days of absence, or discharge him from such obligation. - 29. But of all questions connected with our system of immigration, the most vital for the Colony is, that of the engagements of five years. I therefore beg particularly to call your attention to this subject. 30. In England a man can engage his services for five years or more if he finds it con- venient. The coolie in India possesses the same liberty of contracting. 31. In Mauritius it is not so. The labourer, whether he be European, African, Indian, or even a native of the Colony, cannot engage himself for more than three years. 32. Such a legislation bears the stamp of the former distrust of the mother country against the colonies. It ought to disappear now that the condition of the Indians in Mau- ritius is known to the Government, and that the successive Governors of the Colony, chiefly Sir Lionel Smith, Sir George Anderson, and lastly Mr. Higginson, have all emphatically proclaimed the good and generous behaviour of the colonists towards their labourers. 33. At the beginning of the second Indian emigration, engagements were only allowed for one year. Thus it happened that the high roads of the colony were incessantly covered with gangs of men going over the various districts under the pretext of seeking for an employer, and spending in excesses of all kinds the earnings of their time of labour. On the other hand, the planter constantly employed in seeking new men to replace those whose engagement was ended or nearly ending, had hardly the time of Superintending the cultivation of his estate, or the manufacture of his sugar. - 34. It was under those circumstances that the Government consented to relax a little its excessive severity towards the colonists, and to allow the engagements of three years. 35. Experience has proved in a glaring manner that that measure has been as advanta- geous to the Indians as to the planters, Governor Higginson in his reply to the address of the inhabitants of Flacq (of which I beg to annex a printed copy to the present memorial), expresses himself as follows: “I can bear willing testimony to the beneficial working of three years' engagements, in the interests alike of the labourer and employer, as well as to the undeniable and now generally recognised fact that the position of the Indian immi- grant in Mauritius is highly satisfactory.” 36. I will add that since the engagements have been prolonged to three years the moral state of the Indians has so improved that crime has considerably diminished in the Colony. 37. But that is not sufficient. The planters still complain of the necessity under which they are of renewing their labourers every three years. Hardly have they had time to form efficient men with the unskilled immigrants arriving from India, that they are condemned to begin the painful work again. O. I 3. O O 38. To MAURITIU. S. sºmºsºm-s-s-seº- 274 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAlj RITIUS. No. 5. Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M. P. to Governor Higginson. 6 May 1857. * Page 173. 38. To be able to depend upon the regular and continuous labour of the Indian during his five years of industrial residence, such is the most fervent wish of the planters. But you must not suppose, however, that they mean to take advantage of the experience gained by the Indians during their first years of labour without giving them in return a proportional ay. They well understand that they should have, in case of the engagements of five years §g granted, to pay wages gradually increasing every year. And here I must say for your information, that the newly arrived Indians never contract an engagement before the stipendiary magistrate without the conditions thereof having first been agreed in presence of the protector of immigrants. Thus it is not even possible to suppose that an unscrupu- lous planter may take undue advantage of the ignorance or credulity of the arriving men. 39. I have now to terminate my observations on our system of immigration by asking, in the most pressing manner, in the name of the Chamber of Agriculture, that you may be. pleased to grant us an act of justice vainly solicited up to this time; namely, to decide that Mauritius and the West Indies shall not in future have the same emigration agents in India. - - 40. The present system, which consists in having in India the same emigration agents for all the colonies, opens the door to great abuse. - 3. 41. It is not doubtful that all the coolies prefer to emigrate for Mauritius, which is almost at the door of India, than to go to the West Indies, the distance of which frightens them. 42. It often arrives, however, that thousands of emigrants embark for the West Indies before Mauritius has received the number of men demanded at the expense of the Treasury or of private parties. Is it not, therefore, evident that the emigration agent must find bim- self in the necessity, in order to be able to satisfy the West Indies, to stop, diminish, or impede the emigration to Mauritius P - . 43. It is against such an abuse, and not against imaginary abuse, that the Indian ought to be protected. 44. To that it is objected that a competition would be created between the colonies. Well, why prevent that? Is it not the right of the Indians to profit by it? - 45. The consideration of economy to the colonies is also put forward. But Mauritius declares its readiness to bear the expense of a separate agent. Let your Honour not forget that a man cannot properly serve two masters at the same time. 46. I stop here, not to tire your attention with too many questions. The reforms which I here solicit are not, however, the only ones which the inhabitants of Mauritius call in their wishes; but they are those of which the agricultural body the more strongly feels the neces- sity, and which I have been more particularly instructed to submit to your favourable con- sideration. ** - I have, &c. (signed) . Crf. Antelme. sº No. 5. – (No. 335.) * , * - Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. to Governor Higginson. Sir, --- § Downing-street, 6 May 1857. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 28th January last, No. 22,” forwarding copies of a letter and resolutions adopted by the Chamber of Agriculture of Mauritius, requesting, in consequence of the recent stoppage of emigration from India to that island, that regulations for the introduction of Chinese labourers may be authorised. You also state that the chamber are desirous that an agent should be sent to Siain, from whence it is believed that a considerable number of free emigrants may be obtained. I have also had under my consideration a resolution of the Court of Policy of British Guiana, a copy of which is herewith enclosed. - ‘. I am not disposed under any circumstances to make a change in existing arrangements during the course of the present year; but I have it under my consideration whether it may not be desirable for the future to enforce the rule of restricting the emigration from India to Mauritius and the West Indies respec- tively to two separate seasons of six months each ; at the same time conceding the request of the Chamber of Agriculture of Mauritius, if, upon further consi- deration the Legislative Council should be prepared to incur the necessary expense for the appointment of a separate emigration agent for Mauritius at Calcutta and Madras. gº - I shall WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 275 I shall be desirous, however, of receiving a statement of your own views and MAUR ITTU.S. those of the Council before arriving at a final decision on the subject. h — I shall request the Earl of Clarendon to call the attention of the Earl of Elgin as soon as more pressing business will allow it) to the circumstances which have hitherto impeded the emigration of Chinese to the West Indies, and to the pos- sibility of establishing a continuoussupply of Chinese emigrants not only to the West Indies but to Mauritius, - * Her Majesty's Government will not object to your submitting to the Legisla- tive Council the proposal to send an authorised agent to Siam or other countries east of the Bay of Bengal, for the purpose of collecting information respecting the means of procuring immigrants from that region ; but with the distinct understanding that no arrangements for such a purpose shall be made without the previous conseni of Her Majesty's Government. w - - - - I have, &c. (signed) H. Labouchere. — No. 6. — (No. 349.) - t : - No. 6. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M.P., Right Hon. H. to Governor Higginson. - Labouchere, M.P. - - - to Governor Sir, Downing-street, 19 May 1857. Higginson. WITH reference to my Despatch of the 18th ultimo, No. 318,” relating to the º . 1857. -. stoppage of emigration to Mauritius by the Indian Government, I transmit to age 257. you for your information a copy of a letter from the Commissioners for the 8 Affairs of India, with copy of one from the Court of East India Directors on the ~º...?. - subject. * e - * I have, &c. (signed). H. Labouchere. --- Enclosure in No. 6. \ Encl. in No. 6. Sir, - - India Board 9 May 1857. THE enclosures to your letter of the 28th ultimo, relating to the stoppage of emigration to Mauritius having been forwarded to the Court of Directors of the East India Company, I Sub. E am directed by the Commissioners for the Affairs of India to transmit to you a copy of a letter 7 M. lºsu Fe. which they have received from Sir James Melvill, containing the observations of the Court * 1837. upon the documents in question. T--~ * -- * I have, &c. H. Merivale, Esq. - (signed) Wm. Leach. &c. &c. &c. Sub-Enclosure. - Sir, - East India House, 7 May 1857. I HAVE laid before the Court of Directors Sir George Clerk's letter, dated 2d instant, forwarding, for the Court's information, copies of documents received from Her Majesty’s Secretary of State for the Colonies, relating to the mortality of Indian emigrants on board the ships “Hyderee” and “Futteh Moobaruck,” while in quarantine, and to the stoppage, by the Government of India, of the emigration of Indian labourers to the Mauritius. These papers do not appear to the Court to call for many remarks, their sentiments on the subject to which they relate, having been so fully declared in my letter, dated 29 January last. . The object of the Governor of the Mauritius in respect to the point first mentioned, is to vindicate the executive administration of the Colony from the charge of wilful neglect and indifference to the sufferings of the unfortunate immigrants while detained in quarantine on Flat and Gabriel Islands. The Court do not believe that it was ever intended to bring the charge of indifference against the Governor of the Mauritius. The circumstances stated by his Excellency, so far as they exculpate himself and the officials of the Colony from personal blame, tend to show the evils of the system of quarantine which they had to administer, and thus to justify the step taken by the Government of India, in suspending emigration to . the island till more satisfactory arrangements should be made. 0.1.3. - O O 2 It 276 --- PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. as mºme No. 7. Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M. P. to Governor Higginson. 19 May 1857. * Page 256. A857." Q. * * {-, e T. gºowº Encl. in No. 7. 1 * acAoswº- It will rest with the Government of India to decide on the sufficiency of the amendments in the quarantine system which the Legislature of the Mauritius has declared itself willing to adopt. The Court cannot but entertain serious doubts whether that Government will consent to remove the existing prohibition against emigration unless the colonial authorities consent to the establishment of a lazaret on the main land, to be available when Flat Island shall be inaccessible by reason of weather. It is admitted that the great delay in providing shelter and improved food for the suffering immigrants by the “Hyderee" and “Futteh Moobaruck” arose in great part at least from the impossibility of communicating with Flat Island, and the Court are of opinion that the test of actual experience may fairly be required by the Government of India, before taking any step based on the assumption that the works for facilitating access to the island will have proved as successful as the Government of the Mauritius seems to anticipate. - - I have, &c. (signed) James C. Melvill. The Secretary, India Board. —— No. 7. — No. 350.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. to Governor Higginson. Sir, * Downing-street, 19 May 1857. WITH reference to my Despatch of the 8th ultimo, No. 313,” on the case of the French ship, “St. Germain,” which arrived at Mauritius with coolies from Bombay, I transmit to you for your information a copy of a letter from the Commissioners for the Affairs of India, with copy of one from the Court of East India directors on the subject. - I have, &c. (signed) H. Labouchere. Enclosure in No. 7. Sir, India Board, 12 May 1857. WITH reference to your letter of the 24th ultimo, relative to the introduction of emigrants as free passengers into Mauritius, I am directed by the Commissioners for the Affairs of India, to forward to you for the information of Her Majesty’s Secretary of State for the Colonies, a copy of a letter which they have received from Sir James Melvill, together with copies of two Despatches, which have been addressed by the Court of Directors of the East India Company to the Governments of India and Bombay. $º Mr. Labouchere will observe, that the Court of Directors are most desirous that the intro- duction of Indian labourers into the Colonies should be most rigidly prevented, except through the authorised emigration agents, and they have accordingly instructed the Government of India not to renew emigration to Mauritius, except upon the conditions already entered into between the respective Governments. In this view, I am desired to add, the Board fully concur. - I am, &c. H. Merivale, Esq., (signed) George Clerk. &c. &c. &c. Sub-Enclosure, No. 1. Sir, East India House, 7 May 1857. I HAVE laid before the Court of Directors Sir George Clerk's letter, dated 30th ultimo, forwarding a copy of a Despatch from the Governor of the Mauritius, and of its enclosure, together with the reply thereto of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, relative to the introduction of certain coolies into the Mauritius by French ships from Dombay and Aden, without conforming to the conditions prescribed by law. 2 The Court have learned, with feelings of great dissatisfaction, the occurrence of these cases of violations of law ; and they direct me to transmit to you, for the approval of the Board, drafts of paragraphs on the subject to the Governments of India and Bombay. 3. The instructions of the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor of the Mauritius, as to the treatment of coolies from India arriving hereafter in the Colony, under arrangements made by private persons, would be quite satisfactory to the Court, if they were prepared to acquiesce in any plan of emigration, independent of Gove. . contro WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 277 control in India. To any such plan, however, the Court are, as they ever have been, strongly opposed. They have sanctioned in communication with the Government of India a scheme of emigration, in which protection against fraud and ill-treatment is, as far as possible, afforded to the intending emigrant: and they think that they have a right to expect that in return for their assent to such a system, the colonies which benefit by it, should not only not encourage, but should use their influence and authority to pre- vent any plan for obtaining Indian labourers by any other means. The Court accordingly propose to instruct the Government of India to require an assurance that this course will be taken in the Mauritius, before the existing suspension of emigration to that Colony is removed. ſe * - (signed) James C. Melvill. The Secretary, India Board. Sub- Enclosure, No. 2. CoPY of a DESPATCH from the Court of Directors of the East India Company to the Governor-General of India in Council. East India House, May 1857. Para. 1. WE forward to you, a number in the packet, a copy of the accompanying corres- pondence, which we have received from Her Majesty's Government, consisting of a Despatch from the Governor of the Mauritius, with its enclosures, and of the reply thereto of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, relative to the introduction into the Mauritius, by French ships, without conforming to the conditions prescribed by law, of Indian coolies from Bombay and Aden. 2. We likewise forward to you a copy of a Despatch which we have addressed to the Government of Bombay on this subject, in which, as you will observe, we have expressed our dissatisfaction that these occurrences should have taken place, and have desired that a report be made to us of the circumstances of both cases. You will issue such further instructions, with a view to guarding against future violations of the laws relating to the shipment of emigrants from the Bombay Presidency as you may think necessary. 3. With regard to the instructions of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies as to the future treatment of Indian labourers taken to the Mauritius by means of private arrangements, and without the intervention of the authorised emigration agents, we are not disposed in any way to acquiesce in such a plan of emigration as is here suggested. The system of emigration, as Sanctioned by us, in communication with your Government, con- tains such regulations only as are considered necessary for securing intending emigrants against fraud and ill-treatment; and we are of opinion that any Colony which benefits by it, ought to feel strongly the obligation to discountenance, and to repress any other mode of obtaining Indian labourers. In any correspondence, therefore, which you may have with the Governor of the Mauritius, with respect to the removal of the existing suspension of emigration to that Colony, we direct that you require, as a previous condition to the renewal of emigration, that the importation of Indian labourers, except in accordance with the arrangements made between your Government and the Governor of the Colony be strictly forbidden, and that the prohibition be enforced by such penalties on those engaging in it as may be deemed necessary for securing the object. Sub-Enclosure, No. 3. CoPY of a DESPATCH from the Court of Directors of the East India Company to the Government of Bombay. * East India House, May 1857. 1. WE forward to you, a number in the packet, a copy of the accompanying correspond- ence which we have received from Her Majesty's Government, consisting of a Despatch from the Governor of the Mauritius, with its enclosures, and of the reply thereto of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, relative to the introduction into the Mauritius by French ships, without conforming to the conditions prescribed by law, of Indian coolies from Bombay and Aden. 2. The shipment of coolies from Bombay by the “ St. Germain " was conducted by private parties, without the intervention of the authorised emigration agent, and was thus in direct contravention of Act No. XV. of 1842. The shipment of emigrants from any other ports than those of Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay, being forbidden by Act XIV., of 1839, and by the Act above cited, the deportation of the coolies from Aden by the “ Glaneur” was also clearly illegal. 3. We view with the greatest dissatisfaction the violations of the law which have taken place in these instances, of the circumstances of which we have received no report from your Government. O. l 3. O () 3 4. We MIAU RI'I’i U.S. tºme - 278 PAPERS RELATING TO THE Mi AURI’ſ I U.S. 4. We desire that, if it is not already taken place, an immediate investigation be made into summºn each of the above cases, and a report submitted to us without delay. With reference to the É. by the acting Commissioner of Customs at Bombay of a port clearance to the “ St. ermain,” we direct that an explanation be required from that officer of his conductin giving the clearance, when it was known to him that there were more than 200 native passengers on board. 5. We have communicated this correspondence to the Government of India, from whom ou will receive such further instructions on the subject as they may think necessary. - — No. 8. — ( -> No. 8. (No. 368.) Right Hon. H. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. Labouchere, M. P. - to Governor Higginson. i to Governor w . . Higginson. , Sir, Downing-street, 29 June 1857. 29 June 1859. WITH reference to my Despatch (No. 335),” of the 6th of May, I have to inform * Page 274: you, that, in point of fact, the attentiºn of Lord Elgin has already been drawn to the question of the possibility of procuring the legalisation of the emigration from China of all Chinese subjects, whether male or female. I have, &c. (signed) H. Labouchere. ...” — No. 9. — No. 9. (No. 3.) - }. . ... Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. to Gov. Stevenson. w o to Governor Stevenson. 7 August 1857. Sir, Downing-street, 7 August 1857. save y, , . I TRANSMIT to you for your information copy of a correspondence with _º - Mr. Macpherson, in reference to the present state of coolie immigration into . º - Mauritius. f → I have, &c. (signed) H. Labouchere. Encl. 1, in No. 9. Enclosure 1, in No. 9. To the Right Honourable Henry Labouchere, &c. &c. &c., Secretary of State for the Colonies. - Sir, 3, St. Alban's Place, Regent street, 15 June 1857. IN compliance with your wish, I now submit to you, in writing, the changes in the laws respecting the engagements and introduction of Indian labourers in Mauritius, to explain which, I ventured to request an interview with you, as affording the opportunity of con- veying a more correct, as well as a more forcible, impression of their importance to the Mau- ritius planter than I could do by letter. - - The first and most urgent change hoped for is, in the term for which engagements are allowed to be made. At present the term is limited to three years; whilst the Indian, arriving with the full knowledge of the rate of wages he is to expect, as fixed by a Govern- ment officer, and of the time of service he has undertaken to give in return for his free passage down, would be quite willing to contract with one employer for the whole term, viz., five years, if the Government would allow him ; and whilst it is an acknowledged right that the Indian immigrant should be protected in every way, it is but fair and just that those who have had the expense of bringing him to Mauritius, thereby enabling him to better his condition, as is proved to be the case, should have the full benefit of his service. The first two years of his engagement are spent in teaching him the work of a sugar estate, and in allowing him to gain the physical power necessary to its performance, of which he is very deficient on his arrival; in fact, it would be extremely difficult to recog- mise in the acclimatized, sturdy, healthy, independent-looking fellow, the abject, frail being who arrived from India two years previously. At the end of the third year it constantly occurs that Indians leave the employer, who has had all the trouble and expense of so improving their condition, exactly when they are fit to make him some return for his care and outlay, and they would be quite disposed to do 59 but for the evil influence exercised by sirdars, who make a trade of inducing men to change employers as often as they can. - F Ol' WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 279 For an explanation of this sirdar influence, I must refer you to the repeated represen- tations which have been made from time to time by planters ever since the commencement of Indian immigration. It entails heavy outlays on the island, which the planter would willingly bear if it benefited the labourer who renders service in return; but it only serves to encourage a set of worthless, idle fellows, who are the cause of ceaseless annoyances. To understand the urgency of obtaining this power of prolonged engagements, one must not only have been in Mauritius, but must have been intimately connected with estates there. All the anxiety, the losses and the accidents which occur by the loss of labourers whom the planter has brought up to be carters, firemen, engine-drivers, &c., can only be appreciated by one who has suffered them. The Mauritius planter neither asks nor wishes for anything that would interfere with the interests or well-being of the Indian immigrant, with whom, as a body, he has such good reason to be satisfied, and would therefore be quite willing to give him an increased rate of wages for the two last years, if he should be allowed to make the contract for the whole five years. I could write much more upon this matter, but I should hope that what I have already said will convince you that the desired alteration is not only of great moment to the planter, but is at the same time in nowise prejudicial to the immigrant. The second point to which I wish to direct your attention is, to the law passed in 1855, allowing planters to send up to India, through Government, for any number of coolies for their own account, independent of the number brought down by Government for the Colony generally. This was a very great boon to planters, as it seemed to offer them a positive means of obtaining with certainty a regular and adequate supply of labour; but unfortu- mately the Government agents in India did not give effect to the orders sent up under the Ordinance, which caused me, as well as all those who availed of it, loss and disappointment. I do not doubt, however, from what I learnt from Sir James Higginson, that arrangements will be made to give full effect to this ordinance in future, which cannot fail to be of great advantage to the planting interest, notwithstanding one of its provisions, viz., that the Indian immigrant on his arrival in Mauritius is not bound to ratify the contract with the planter, who has run all the risk, and been at the expense of his introduction. I would suggest that a coolie sent down by the Government agent for account of a planter, be considered bound to such planter for the term of his industrial residence. These are the two points upon which I wished to see you, and which I have now put but inadequately before you. . Should you, however, deem them worthy of any further elucidation on my part, I shall be happy to wait upon you. I have, &c. (signed) Alew. C. Macpherson Enclosure 2, in No. 9. To the Right Honourable Henry Labouchere, &c. &c. &c., Secretary of State for the Colonies. Sir, Lane's Hotel, St. Alban's-place, 15 July 1857. THE early departure of Mr. Stevenson for Mauritius, and the importance to all those concerned in it as a sugar colony of the changes which I ventured to suggest in my letter to you of the 15th ultimo, must plead my excuse for again bespeaking your early con- sideration of the subject. Her Majesty's Government can have no wish to place obstacles in the way of Her colonists in their struggle with the slave and other foreign sugar producing countries, since, apart from their natural desire for their welfare as countrymen, their success would, I conceive, ultimately do more to induce other countries to adopt free labour, than any thing else, from the mere fact of its affording clear proof of its being more economical. As they prove callous to the moral view of the question of slavery, there only remains for us to prove the material advantage of free labour. - Mauritius, from its proximity to an abundant supply of labourers anxious to go there, and from its capability of greatly increasing its production, at as low, if not lower cost than any other country, is in a better position to fight the battle of free labour versus slave labour than any other British Colony; and I feel sure that the Government will afford the planters every latitude to obtain that which is most essential to tropical agriculture, namely, an ample supply of continuous voluntary labour, consistent with the interests and welfare of the labourer. f I endeavoured to explain, in my letter referred to, the drawbacks under which we labour at present in this respect, from being only allowed to engage men for three years, and also the reasonableness of extending the period to five years, always of course provided the labourer consents voluntarily and freely. - I shall not trouble you again with these arguments ; I am convinced that if, after due consideration, you deem the demand just and reasonable, you will lend your assistance in conferring what will be considered a boon in Mauritius; and I may add, that if Mr. Stevenson were made the bearer of the changes, his government would commence under the happiest auspices. I have, &c. (signed) Alew. C. Macpherson. (). 3. O O 4 Enclosure MAURITIUs. Encl. 2, in No. 9. 28O PAPERS RELATING TO THE M AU R ITIUS. - x º Iºnclosure 3, in No. 9. Encl. 3, in No. 9. Sir Downing-street, 7 August 1857. 5 I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Labouchere to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th June and 15th ultimo, on the subject of the present state of coolie immigration into Mauritius. - I am now to state to you in reply,– 1st. That, as regards the extension of contracts to labour from three to five years, Mr. - Labouchere having again given the subject his fullest consideration, is not prepared to sanction any alteration in the existing law ; and, 2d. That, as regards the working of the Ordinance, No. 12, of 1855, which authorises the introduction of immigrants at the expense of the person applying for their services, I am to observe, that this Ordinance came into operation on the 1st September 1855; that on 7th February 1856 Governor Higginson reported, that “the requisitions for men as yet made under its provisions have been very limited,” and that he was therefore disposed to think that labour was more abundant in the Colony than was generally supposed. Since the receipt of that Despatch no further intelligence on the subject has been received; but, as far as regards the Home and Colonial Governments, there is nothing to prevent the planters taking advantage of the Ordinance if they think fit to do so, neither has intelligence of any opposition on the part of the Government of Bombay been received. I have, &c. A. C. Macpherson, Esq. - (signed) T. Fredk Elliot. — No. 10. — No. 1 o (No. 16.) - Right Hon ä. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. Labouchere, M.P. to Governor Stevenson. t to Gov. Stevenson. tº tº 20 August 1857. Sir, Downing-street, 20 August 1857. P, \ I TRANSMIT to you a copy of a letter received from the Foreign Department, 3 y\\ sº inquiring as to the circumstances under which the English vessel “Joker * *šº was furnished with papers to enable her to convey blacks as free labourers to ~~~...~ $5° Mauritius; and also a copy of a letter, dated 5th August 1857, from the Admi- f, *...we ?: - ralty, with an extract of one from Commodore Trotter, in which the Commodore -** states that the English barque which he found in Boyana Bay, Madagascar, with a licence from the Governor of Mauritius to take over labourers to that island, was commanded by a native of France, but a naturalised Englishman, and that it appeared evident to the Commodore that he had virtually bought the labourers. - I need not say that Her Majesty's Government have received this information with great surprise, and that they are anxious to receive a full and in mediate explanation on the subject. - I have, &c. (signed) H. Labouchere. Encl. 1, in No. 10. Enclosure 1, in No. 10. Sir, - - - Foreign Office, 13 July 1857. I AM directed by the Earl of Clarendon to transmit to you the accompanying extracts of a Despatch from Her Majesty's Commissioners at the Cape of Good Hope upon the smºcº state of the slave trade on the East Coast of Africa during the year 1856, and I am to º' --- request that, in laying the same before Mr. Secretary Labouchere, you will move him to acquaint Lord Clarendon whether any information has been received at the Colonial Office with regard to the circumstances under which the English vessel “Joker” was furnished by the authorities at the Mauritius with papers to enable her to convey blacks as free labourers to that island, ‘. I am at the same time to enclose an extract of a Despatch from Her Majesty’s Minister aesye 2, at Lisbon, stating that the Portuguese Government has received intelligence that Com- - \,\ º: ---- sº modore Trotter had met with an English vessel off the coast of Mozambique with a cargo ... -- of negroes on board destined for the island of Réunion. - I am, &c. Herman Merivale, Esq. * (signed) Shelburn. &c. &c. &c. - WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 281 Sub-Enclosure 1, to Enclosure 1, in No. N.O. EXTRACT of a DESPATCH from Mr. Howard to Lord Clarendon, dated Lisbon, 24 June 1857. THE Viscount de Sã acquainted me yesterday that he had received intelligence from the Cape of Good Hope that Commodore Trotter had returned to Simon's Bay from his cruise to Mozambique; that he had met with an English vessel off that coast with a cargo of inegroes on board, destined for Réunion; but that as she had a commission from the Governor of that island for their conveyance, he had not brought her for adjudication before the Mixed Commission at the Cape. - Sub-Enclosure 2, to Enclosure 1, in No. 10. ExTRACT of a DESPATCH from Her Majesty's Commissioners at the Cape of Good Hope, dated Cape Town, 14 April 1857. THE exportation of negroes as free labourers is also carried on from Madagascar for the French settlements; and while in Boyana Bay, Commodore Trotter met with an English vessel, the “Joker,” Asp, master, freighted for the conveyance of blacks, as free labourers, to Mauritius, for which purpose she was furnished with papers from the authorities of that Colony. Fuller particulars of this case will, we doubt not, reach your Lordship through the Board of Admiralty; but we would remark, that were such a practice allowed in behalf of a British Colony, it may be questioned whether it would not tend to diminish the weight of any representations which Her Majesty's Government might think it desirable to make to other powers to whose colonies free labourers may be brought from ports at which the slave trade has hitherto been the principal traffic. Enclosure 2, in No. 10. Sir, Admiralty, 5 August 1857. IN reply to your letter of the 3d instant, enclosing copies of a Despatch from the Foreign Office relative to the state of slave trade on the East Coast of Africa, and requesting to be informed whether my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have received any reports respecting the English ship “Joker,” alleged to have been freighted for the conveyance of negroes to the Mauritius from Madagascar as free labourers, I am commanded by their Lordships to transmit you herewith, for the information of Mr. Secretary Labouchere, an extract from a letter of Commodore Trotter, dated the 5th April last, No. 3, respecting a vessel supposed to be the “ Joker.” - Extracts from the above-mentioned letter of Commodore Trotter were sent to the Foreign Office on the 16th July. I am, &c. T. Frederick Elliot, Esq., &c. &c. &c. (signed) B. Osborne. Colonial Office. - Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 2, in No. 10. ExTRACT from Commodore Trotter's Letter, dated 5 April 1857, at Simon's Bay. “ON our passage to Mozambique we touched at Boyana Bay (Madagascar), where the Queen of Bali was very civil. It was her father with whom Commander Brown, of the ‘ Geyser, in 1848, made a treaty for the suppression of the slave trade. The Queen appeared to have a perfect remembrance of it, and said she should always act up to it. I found lying here an English barque, belonging to Seychelles, and commanded by a native of France, but a naturalized Englishman, who had a licence from the Governor of Mauri- tius to take over labourers to that island. It appeared evident to me that he had virtually bought them; but as it would be as easy for the authorities at the Mauritius as for me to prove that, I merely made a note of my visit in her log-book, and in it protested against his proceedings, and against his procuring any other labourers in a similar way; and I wrote at the same time to the Governor of the Mauritius to say what I had done. The Queen presented me with a fine bullock, for which I returned her the articles enumerated in the margin. “Colonel Hamerton had given me the information, which he believed to be true, of two vessels having left this bay the year before with slaves, which they had succeeded in getting safely round the Cape of Good Hope; but two Jesuit priests, one of whom had resided there constantly for the last two years and a half, assured me that no such vessel had during that time taken in slaves, or sailed from that place with them. I was anxious to ascertain the correctness of the report, because, after very particular inquiries on the subject, I had reason to believe, as I still have, that no slaver has been fitted out on . East Coast, or taken away slaves round the Cape of Good Hope, for the last three year and more.” MAURITIUS. º-rººms No. 11. Encl. 2, in No. 10. Suh. *Pºelsº. T- O. 13. P P 24 yds. duck- 282 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. - gº —- No. 1 1. — Encl. in No. 12. (No. 24.) - e - Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. No. 11: $ to Governor Stevenson. #. *. Sir, - Downing-street, 6 September 1857. to Gov. Stevenson. I HAVE received with Satisfaction your predecessor's Despatch, No. 119,” of 6 September 1857. 3d July last, reporting that the prohibition of immigration from India to Mau- * Page 181. ritius had been withdrawn by the Indian Government. I have, &c. (signed) H. Labouchere. — No. 12. — No. 12. - (No. 53.) * Right . H. CoPY of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. º: sºn. to Governor Stevenson. 17 October 1857. Sir, Downing-street, 17 October 1857. I HAVE to convey to you the Queen’s confirmation and allowance of th– Ordinance passed by the Legislature of Mauritius, and forwarded in your pree No. 22 of 1857. decessor's Despatch, No. 152, of the 12th of August, “to amend the law relative to the engaging of newly-arrived immigrants.” I transmit for your information the copy of a Report upon this Ordinance, which has been furnished by Sir Frederic Rogers, and I have to instruct you 1951 to comply with his request that a copy of the Report of the Protector of Immi- grants should be sent home. no 9°. are: ºxe- I have, &c. (signed) H. Labouchere. Encl. in No. 12. Enclosure in No. 12. Sir, - Emigration Office, 10 October 1857. IN obedience to the directions of the Secretary of State contained in your letter of the 30th ultimo, I have perused and considered an Ordinance passed by the Legislature of Mauritius in the month of July last, intituled, “No. 22. An Ordinance to amend the law relative to the engaging of newly-arrived Immigrants.” 2. By the Ordinance, No. 15 of 1854, it was provided that from the immigrants brought to the Colony at the expense of Government, every employer should be entitled to receive a certain number fixed by authority with reference to the nature and extent of his property and the amount of the immigration. 3. But as the planters are generally anxious to obtain more than their authorised number, it was also provided by the 6th and 7th clauses of the same Ordinance, that any employer might obtain more than his quota by paying an additional sum of 3 l. a head on the €XCeSS. 4. The Ordinance, No. 12 of 1855, in order to encourage private persons to import immigrants at their own expense (though through the agency of Government), provided that any planter might despatch through the immigration agent at Mauritius to the emigration agent at Calcutta, a requisition for extra immigrants to be introduced at the expense of the requisitionist; which immigrants would accordingly (subject to certain conditions) be allotted to him on their arrival. 5. It appears by the report of the Immigration Committee of the Chamber of Agriculture, that the latter Ordinance has become a dead letter; obviously because the terms on which it enables planters to get an extra number of immigrants are less advantageous to him than those held out by the Ordinance of 1854; and the immigration agent (in a report which is not sent home) states that the effect of this latter Ordinance is to aggravate the evils notoriously arising from the keenness with which planters compete for the services of immigrants. 6. The Legislative Council accordingly has passed an Ordinance repealing the 6th and 7th Clauses of the Ordinance, No. 15 of 1854, and making provisions analogous to those of No. 12 of 1855, which, however, it leaves in force. 7. The Ordinance provides that any person who chooses to pay to Government the cost of introducing any newly-arrived immigrant, and of a proportionate number of females, may have these people allotted to him out of the Government immigration, over and above his quota, and that if the immigrants leave him at the end of their three years' engagement, he will be entitled to receive any tax paid to the public on account of those immigrants during * two last years of their industrial residence, amounting to not less than 30 s. or more than 60 s. 8. The WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 283 8. The Committee of the Chamber of Agriculture object to this arrangement, principally, as I understand, because, assuming five years’ labour to be a fair equivalent for the cost of introduction, they consider that a planter to whom an immigrant is only allotted for three years certain, should not be called upon to pay for more than three-fifths of that cost. 9. They would prefer, however, that this difficulty should be met by authorising engage- ments for the full term of the industrial residence. - & 10. In default of this they propose, that if the labourer changes his employer at the end of three years' service, the second employer should pay to the first two-fifths (with interest) of the cost of introduction. 11. To this the Governor has not acceded, because it virtually interferes with the rights secured to the labourer under the present law. g 12. It appears further, that the immigration agent proposed that the system of private recruiting should be stopped. The Chamber of Agriculture admit the evils which result from the recruiting system, but the Governor concurs with them in thinking such a stoppage unadvisable. 13. It also appears that the money obtained from individual planters on account of labourers introduced as part of the Government quota, but allotted as extra men, is not applied with sufficient promptitude in bringing out fresh Government immigrants; a pro- vision to remedy this is inserted in the Ordinance. 14. It will be observed that this Ordinance does not in any degree affect the rights of the coolies, but only the mode of dividing the expense of immigration between the individual employers and the public purse. - 15. Considered in this point of view, it seems to me that there is some force in the argument of the Chamber of Agriculture. I can indeed have no doubt that in the course of a three years’ indenture the planter is amply repaid for the 6 l. or 8 l, which that indenture will cost him, even independently of the sum which he may possibly recover from Government. But since the Indian is bound, in return for his free passage, to give the public five years' labour, of which the individual to whom he is first allotted is only to receive three, there is a certain inequality in requiring the first employer to advance the whole cost of importation. - 16. The matter, however, is one on which it appears to me far best to accept the deci- sion of the Local Legislature, unless the Home Government is expressly called upon to interfere; which is not the case. And even if the measure is capable of improvement, it would be best to leave those improvements to be suggested by experience, and to originate with the colonists or the Local Government. 17. I would, therefore, recommend that the Ordinance should be simply confirmed with- out adverting to the slight difference of opinion which exists between the Governor and the Chamber of Agriculture. - 18. It might, however, be desirable to request the Governor to send home a copy of the Protector's Report which has led to the passing of this Ordinance. An exact understand- ing of the mode in which the recruiting system is worked at Mauritius would be very useful with reference to the West Indian immigration. It appears that difficulties are felt at Mauritius respecting the allocation of immigrants which do not exist in the West Indies, and which seem, in some degree, connected with the employment of recruiters on behalf of private persons. * ; : - I have, &c. * Herman Merivale, Esq., (signed) Frederic Rogers. &c. &c. &c. — No. 13. — (No. 58.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. to Governor Stevenson. - Sir, Downing-street, 22 October 1857. I HAVE received your predecessor's Despatch, No. 140, of the 2d August, together with its enclosures, reporting the visit of Commodore Trotter to Mada- gascar, his boarding the English barque “Joker” in Boyanna Bay, and his opinion that the emigrant labourers whom he found on board of her had been slaves up to the moment of their embarkation. I have already addressed you on this subject in my Despatch, No. 37, of the 5th instant. I was not then in receipt of the Despatch now before me, which ex- plains what I did not then understand, how the captain of the “Joker" could be importing immigrants from Madagascar to Mauritius so lately as the month of May last under a license from the Mauritius Government; whereas Mr. Higginson had stated in his Despatch, No. 175, of the 14th October 1856, that he should issue no more licenses. It now appears that the license granted to Captain Aps was issued so far back as the 20th August 1856. He is therefore, so far, not chargeable with any infraction of the law. It appears, however, from Commodore Trotter's O. 13. Statement MAURITIUS. ſºme No. 13. Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M.P. to Gov. Stevenson. 22 October 1857. 284 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. cºmmº- No. 14. Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M. P. to Gov. Stevenson. 26 Nov. 1857. * Page 192. No. 23 of 1857. t Wide Appendix, page 336. O r" . r: Novembº. 1857 6 º'closuº — --" Encl. in No. 14, No. 23. statement that Captain ApS has rendered himself liable to a heavy penalty under the Slave Trade Acts; and I am glad to find, therefore, that the Colonial Government was prepared to proceed against him in the event of his returning to Mauritius; and I assure myself that you will omit no means by which he may be brought to justice. I have communicated Mr. Higginson's Despatch to the Foreign Office and to the Admiralty. I have, &c. & (signed) H. Labouchere. — No. 14. — (No. 80.) CoPY of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. to Governor Stevenson. Sir, Downing-street, 26 November 1857. I HAVE received your predecessor's Despatch, No. 177,” of the 9th of Sep- tember, forwarding an Ordinance “to amend the law as to the introduction and engagement of immigrants from territories not under the Government of the East India Company.” f - I transmit to you the copy of a Report upon this Ordinance which has been furnished by the Emigration Commissioners. You will be pleased to regard as an Instruction from myself the remark in the 12th paragraph as to the neces- sity of submitting to the Secretary of State the regulations under which this immigration is to be carried on. With regard to the proportion of females to be required at the commence- ment of the immigration, I can only sanction the very insufficient proportion suggested, viz. One female to every six men, on the condition that it shall be augmented so soon as the numbers introduced shall show that the first difficul- ties of opening a stream of emigration have been surmounted ; and it must be regarded as permissible only in respect of the first 1,000 immigrants from any one region, the proportion required for coolies being requisite in respect of any further numbers. The l l th section of the Ordinance fixes, by the intervention of a Government Board, not only the maximum passage money to be paid under the 10th section in cases where the person engaging the immigrants is not the person intro- ducing them, but generally the payment to be made by the importers of the immigrants to the shipowners. This appears to be an objectionable inter- ference between the parties; and I have to instruct you to suggest to the Council the expediency of amending the Ordinance in the above particular. Subject to the preceding remarks, I have no objection to the Ordinance; and I have to signify to you its confirmation and allowance by Her Majesty. I have, &c. (signed) H. Labouchere. Enclosure in No. 14. Sir, Emigration Office, 5 November 1857. WE have to acknowledge your letter of the 30th ultimo, enclosing a Despatch from the Governor of Mauritius, and the copy of an Ordinance enacted by the Legislature of that Colony, intituled, “ No. 23 of 1857. An Ordinance to amend the Law as to the introduction of Immigrants from Territories not under the Government of the East India Company.” 2. In his Despatches of the 6th April and the 19th of June last, Mr. Labouchere in- structed Sir James Higginson that the importation of Africans and coolies from Aden must be entirely discontinued, and he directed Sir James Higginson to take “steps for effecting any alteration of the law which might be requisite in order fully to empower him to repress, by the most vigorous measures, every form of immigration which was contrary to the national policy and to the conditions under which alone the introduction of immi- grants of the coloured races had been sanctioned.” 3. In order to give effect to these directions the present Ordinance (which is passed with a suspending clause) repeals all existing Proclamations and Ordinances in respect to immigration from territories not belonging to the East India Company, and enacts fresh provisions. 4. First, in order to secure to the Government the power of controlling any such emi- gration, and punishing misconduct, it is provided that no immigrants shall be introduced except in vessels licensed either by the Government or by some consular agent authorised by WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS, 285 by the Governor to issue licenses. The license is to be limited to particular places, and to AIAUR ITIL, S. be good for one voyage only. If immigrants are introduced without license, or if the *-ºs-sº conditions of the license are broken, the “master, owner, and agent” of the ship are to - be subject to penalties not exceeding 100 l. fine and six months' imprisonment for each immigrant on board (section 3). The Governor may also order the immigrants to be taken back to their country, and if allowed to land they may not be indentured for more than one year. 5. The Governor, with his Executive Council, is to frame regulations for carrying out the Ordinance, which are to have the same effect as if embodied in the Ordinance or in the ship's license. 6. The Protector of Immigrants is to board and inspect every immigrant vessel on its arrival, and either certify that the conditions of the license have been performed, or report to the Governor. 7. The specific provisions for the protection of the immigrants and reimbursement of their importers are the following. - 8. The immigrant, on landing, is to be at once placed in charge of the Protector, and is not to leave the depôt till hired (Articles 8, 9), or till he has been in the depôt for 14 days. Before that period he may be indentured for three years, the person hiring him paying to the importer the cost of his importation (which charge is to be controlled by a Board containing a majority of Government officers), with an addition of 25 per cent. if he shall have been introduced under an arrangement to serve some other planter. After the expiration of 14 days he may be indentured for one year. In this case, as we understand the Ordinance, his employer need not have actually made the required payment to the im- porter (Article 9), but will remain liable to it (Article 13) if the cngagement is a written one. 9. We do not exactly understand how these provisions will work; but they seem cal- culated to place the immigrant (acting under the advice of the Protector) in a position of much advantage. - 10. Penalties are imposed on persons feeding or treating the immigrants improperly when on shipboard, or confining them when on shore; the laws defining the relations between coolies and their employers are extended to labourers introduced under this Ordinance, and provision is made for proof of marriages. - 11. This Ordinance appears to place the control of emigration in the hands of the Executive, and may, we apprehend, be properly sanctioned. As it is passed with a suspending clause, an express sanction will be required in order to bring it into operation. 12. The regulations under which immigration is to be carried on must of course be submitted to the Secretary of State, nor must immigration be authorised from any place not previously approved by him. On these heads, practical questions of considerable importance may arise ; the only point, however, on which any present decision is required, concerns the proportion of females; and we should concur with Governor Higginson, in thinking that in the infancy of an immigration it would not be necessary, or indeed reasonable, to require more than one female to every six men; if that proportion can be attained at first (which we imagine it rarely can), there will probably be little difficulty in raising it afterwards. We have, &c C. Fortescue, Esq., M. P. (signed) T. W. C. Murdoch. &c. &c. &c. Frederic Rogers. — No. 16. – (No. 105.) e - - No. 15. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M. P. Right Hon. ii. - to Governor Stevenson. Labouchere, M.I. Sir, Downing-street, 19 January 1858. to Gov. Stevenson, 10 June 1858. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your predecessor's Despatch of the 9th 9 o September last, No. 179,” transmitting an Ordinance passed by the Governor * Page 193. and Council of Mauritius, entitled, “An Ordinance for preventing the Illegal No. 26 of 1857. Introduction of Indian Immigrants.” I have to convey to you Her Majesty's gracious confirmation and allowance of this Ordinance. I transmit to you for your information a copy of a letter from the secretary 3, p. to the Court of East India Directors to the India Board on the subject. C I have, &c. G. (signed) H. Labouchere. - Enclosure in No. 15. Encl. in No. 15. Sir, - East India House, 31 December 1857. 1. frave laid before the Court of Directors Sir George Clerk's letter, dated 25th ult, forwarding correspondence received from the Colonial Office, together with an Ordinance proposed by the Legislature of Mauritius, to prevent the illegal introduction of coolies from India into the colony, and requesting the opinion of the Court on the Ordinance in question. O. l 3. Q Q 2. In 286 PAPF 8S RELATING TO THE MA (JR ITIUS. 2. In reply, I am commanded to state, for the information of the Board of Commissioners — that the above enactment seems to the Court, as at present informed, sufficiently to meet the requirements of the case; and that they are not aware of any reason why the Ördinance should not be submitted for the confirmation of Her Majesty. 3. The Court observe with much º that before the receipt of the letter of Mr. Secretary Labouchere, communicating the representations of the Court arising out of the cases of the ships “ St. Germain" and “ Glaneur,” it had been the intention of the Government of the Mauritius to propose to the Colonial Legislature a measure for preventing the immigration of Indian labourers in any other way than through the agency established under the authority of the Indian Legislature. I have, &c. The Secretary India Board. (signed James C. Melvill. *º- Sub-Enclosure. Sir. India Board, 8 Januar - A goPY of your letter of the 21st November last, with the Ordinance º, Legislature of Mauritius to prevent the illegal introduction of coolies into that Colony. having been forwarded by the Commissioners for the Affairs of India for the opinion of ifié ec. 1851: Court of Directors, I have now the honour to enclose to you a copy of the letter which wº they have received from Sir James Melvill, containing the sentiments of the Court j the subject. - - p e - I am, &c. |H. *: º - (Signed) - George Clerk. ..". -- - — No. 16. — No. 16. (No. 1 1 0.) Right Hon. H. CoPY of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M.P. Labouchere, M. P. to Governor Stevenson. to Governor • - Stevenson. Sir, Downing-street, 27 January 1858. 27 Januar o "e \ – ~... - - e. ::: º º 1858 WITH reference to my Despatch of the 7th August last, No. 3,” I transmit to * 4 - - º º - p > you for your information copy of a further correspondence with Mr. Macpherson sº on the subject of immigration into Mauritius. A6 Jº I have, &c. - (signed) H. Labouchere. * -- * * Enclosure 1, in No. 16. Encl. 1, in No. 16. To the Right Honourable Henry Labouchere, Secretary of State for the Colonies. Sir, London, 16 January 1858. I HAD the honour of addressing you on the 15th June and 15th July last to request, on behalf of the Mauritius planters, that you be pleased to sanction certain changes in the laws respecting contracts with coolie and other labourers in that Colony. I beg leave to send you herewith copy of a letter from the Chamber of Agriculture there, yacº- expressive of its entire concurrence in my representations to you upon the subject, and swº- requesting me to seek an opportunity of again bringing before you the urgency with which -** these changes are hoped for by all those interested in agriculture in the island. We seek for no compulsory engagement; the Protector of Immigrants and the magistrates are on the spot, they take cognizance of all the details of the contracts, and are always ready to protect the immigrants in their free choice of employers. All we ask is, that the planters and labourers should be allowed to form a mutual engage- ment for five years, a measure that would afford the planters an opportunity of obtain- ing that regular and continuous labour so essential to tropical agriculture, whilst it would tend more than anything else (by freeing them from the baneful influence of those Indian crimps who make their livelihood by deceit and lies) to lead the Indian into more settled and industrious habits, and to promote those feelings of mutual interest between employers and employed which never fail to be of material benefit to both. - The addresses to both the late and present Governor show the importance which planters attach to this measure, and I do hope you will give it a full and fair investigation, which the presence here of Sir James Higginson, our late Governor, and of General Hay, our late Acting Governor, will enable you to do in a most satisfactory manner. I may add that if we are allowed to bring a sufficient number of labourers to the island, with the power of securing their services for five years, large tracts of land now laying waste would be brought into cultivation, and within a given time the production of the island might be doubled. I have, &c. : (signed) Alew. C. Macpherson. Lane's Hotel, St. Alban's-place, S.W. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURIT] US. 287 Sub-Enclosure. A Monsieur Alew. Macpherson. Port Louis, Chambre d’Agriculture, Monsieur et cher Collegue, 12 Octobre 1857. J’AI eu le plaisir de Soumetre à la Chambre d’Agriculture à Sa séance du 17 Sept. dernier la lettre que vous m'avez fait l’honneur de m'écrire le 4 Juillet. La Chambre partage entièrement votre opinion relativement à la mécessité de prolonger a cinq années les contrats de service de travailleurs à Maurice, et de rendre valables les engagemens contractés dans l’Inde, et vous félicite d’avoir présenté ces questions au très Honorable Secretaire d’Etat sous un jour si vrai et si frappant. - . Un vote unanime de remercimens à été passé parla Chambre après la lecture de votre lettre et du mémoire que vous avez adressé au Ministre des Colonies, et j'ai été chargé de vous transmettre en même temps que l’expression de la reconnaissance de mes confrès, les voeux qu'ils font pour qu'il vous soit possible de continuer vos bons offices à la Chambre et à la Colonie pendant votre séjour en Europe. C'est une tache qu'il m'est doux de remplir, et je vous prie, mon cher collégue, de croire à la sincerité des sentimens de votre bien dévoué. (signed) J. Currie, President de la Chambre d’Agriculture. £nclosure 2, in No. 16. Sir, Downing-street 27 January 1858. I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Labouchere to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, and to acquaint you, in reply, that any representation which the Mauritius Chamber of Agriculture may be desirous of making to Her Majesty's Government on the subject of immigration into that island should, in accordance with the colonial regulations, be made through the Governor. - I have, &c. Alex. C. Macpherson, Esq. (signed) FI. Merivale. --- — No. 17. —- (No. 74.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable the Lord Stanley, M.P. to Governor Stevenson. Sir, Downing-Street, 4 June 1858. I HAVE the honour to inform you that I have come to the conclusion that it will be advisable that the services of the existing agents for collecting emigrants at Calcutta and Madras should hereafter be confined to the Mauritius, and that the West Indian Colonies should have a distinct agency of their own. Until such officers can be obtained and reach the scene of their duties the present agents will continue to act for the West Indian Colonies by which they are now employed, and their salaries on account of those Colonies will be payable until they are relieved. The adoption of the present decision will put an end to the idea of keeping up a division of seasons between the Mauritius and the West Indies. India will be open throughout the year to the agents of all the Colonies con- cerned to do their best for the advancement of the service on which they are employed, with the exception only, so far as regards the West Indies, of a period during which sanitary considerations render it unfit that coolies should be despatched so as to pass the Cape of Good Hope in the cold weather. I have every reason to hope from what I see on record that the present measure will be acceptable to the colony of Mauritius, whilst the separation of the agencies has also been frequently requested by different Governments in the West Indies. I have &c. (signed) Stanley. MAURITIUS. *==== Encl. 2, in No. 16. No. 17. Right Hon. Lord Stanley, M. P. to Governor Stevenson. 4 June 1858. 2 S 8 PAPERS RELATING TO THE Aſ A U. RITIUS, *sº No. 18. Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart, M. P., to Governor Stevenson. 26 July 1858. * Page 207. - rº. * 7 May ºr * \\ ce \ . * x858: "M 10 º' & º, $3 A369: : \\\\ sº ~\ºcyo” Encl. 1, in No. 18. — No. 18. — (No. 47.) - Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., M.P. to Governor Stevenson. Sir, . Downing-street, 26 July 1858. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 30th January last, No. 22,” having reference to the immigration of coolies from India, under the Mauritius Ordinance, No. 22, of 1857, and more especially to the question of giving validity to contracts made in India previous to embarkation. I transmit to you, for your information and guidance, copies of the correspon- dence noted in the margin. These letters will put you in full possession of the views of Her Majesty’s Government on the several measures you have suggested. I have, &c. (signed) E. B. Lytton. Enclosure 1, in No. 18. | Sir, Emigration Office, 17 May 1858. WE have to acknowledge your letter of the 21st ultimo, enclosing a Despatch from the Governor of Mauritius, respecting emigration from India into that island. Ç 2. In his Despatch, No. 53, of 17th of October, Mr. Labouchere requested the Governor to send to England a report from the Protector of Immigrants, respecting the system of employing recruiters, and its consequences, on which the Ordinance No. 22 of 1857 had been founded, but which had not been forwarded with that Ordinance. The report is now forwarded, and the Governor takes the opportunity of stating his intention to consolidate the Immigration Law, and of submitting to the Secretary of State the propriety of certain alterations in it. - sº . 3. The consolidation of the law is certainly very much to be desired. It consists at pre- sent of a large number of Ordinances, mostly very short, which have been passed during the last six years, to modify, repeal, and re-enact each other, and must form a most trouble- Some code to administer. 4. The proposed alterations appear to be suggested in their main features by the Cham- bers of Agriculture and Commerce, in order to remove certain practical difficulties which are experienced by the planters and the Protector of Immigrants in the conduct of the immigration. They concern, first, the mode of distributing the immigrants; secondly, the period for which they are to be indentured in the Colony. - -- 5. The rules of allotting immigrants are laid down in the Ordinances No. 15 of 1854, No. 12 of 1855, and No. 22 of 1857. 6. No. 15 provided that the immigration of each year should be divided among the planters in proportion to the produce of their estates, but subject to the condition (con- tained in the 6th and 7th clauses of the Ordinance) that those who desired an extra share of the Government immigration might obtain it by paying 3 l. additional for each extra immigrant allotted to them. - 7. No. 12 of 1855 provided, that extra labourers might also be procured by paying the full cost of introduction. These labourers were supposed to be introduced not as part of, but in addition to, the Government quota. 8. No. 22 of 1857 repealed the 6th and 7th clauses of No. 15, and so left the introduc- tion of extra immigrants to be effected under No. 12 of 1855 only. 9. It appears, however, that this system does not work entirely well. The fertility of Mauritius leading, first, to an extended cultivation, then to an increased necessity for hands to support that cultivation, and so to a keen competition for labour among the planters, who are pressing forward to avail themselves to the utmost of the natural advantages of their property, makes it worth while for sugar planters not only to pay the cost of intro- ducing immigrants, but also to send out native recruiters to collect emigrants in India each for his own employer. And these recruiters find it worth while, instead of engaging them- selves honestly in the work of collection, to seduce (as it is fairly called) into their employer's service immigrants who have been collected by the Government, or by other men's recruiters. The present law requires every immigrant to land in Mauritius at liberty to choose his own employer. While, therefore, the coolies are on board the emigrant ship, or in depôt at Calcutta or Mauritius, they are open to the influence of the rival Sirdars (as they are called), who struggle for the power of directing their choice of an employer, and, when they have obtained this, use it of course (not without much unseemly quarrelling) for the pur- pose of making their own profit both out of the planter and out of the coolie. 10. The WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 289 10. The effect is said to be that men of substance send out bonā ſide recruiters, in order to secure to themselves a supply of labour adequate to carry out the operations they have commenced; but that this supply is intercepted by the agents of more needy and less fair- dealing persons, who are only bound by the present law to pay the real importer the expenses he has incurred in the collection of his people, with an addition of 25 per cent., a wholly inadequate compensation for the disappointment of his expectations. - 11. To obviate these difficulties (besides endeavouring to increase the rate of immigra- tion), Governor Steyenson proposes that Indians shall be allowed, under proper precautions, to make binding contracts in India, either with a particular person, or with the Govern- ment, and that on their arrival in the Colony they shall be bound, as a matter of course, in the first case to the person they have contracted to serve; in the second, to the person to whom the Government shall allot them. 12. The former of these principles, that of private contract, has been admitted in the case of the proposed emigration from Bombay to the West Indies. The latter, that of Government allotment, is that on which, practically, the West Indian emigration has been hitherto carried on. We imagine, therefore, there can be no objection to admit either with regard to Mau- ritius. The conditions by which Mr. Stevenson proposes to secure that they shall not be applied to the substantial disadvantage of the immigrants are contained in the 42d and fol- lowing paragraphs of his Despatch, and are in substance as follows:– (1.) All applications for extra immigrants to be made to the Protector in Mauritius, or the emigration agent in India, specifying the number of people required, and the wages and other advantages which the labourers are to receive. The Protector to send to the emigra- tion agent a periodical report of the minimum and maximum amount of wages and rations given in different localities, and for different kinds of work. (2.) All emigrants to pass through the immigration depôt. The Government agent so to exercise a certain restraint over the operations of the private agents employed in the selection or engagement of labourers, and to secure that these latter are fully informed of all that they ought to know. The contract to be always made before the emigration agent or “magisterial authority sanctioned by Government.” (3.) A copy to be given to the immigrant of the contract; which is to be indefeasible, except of course by consent of the employer or in consequence of his misconduct, and then only through a stipendiary magistrate. Persons persuading the coolies (even on ship- board) to escape from their engagement, to be punishable. - (4.) The association of Indians under a sirdar of their own village (who is distinguishable from the crimp who bears the same title), to be encouraged; and any such association to be allotted, as far as possible, to the same employer. (5.) Immigrants under special engagement to be sent “if practicable” in separate ships, or in ships provided by their employers. (6.) Immigrants to choose in the depôt at Calcutta between special and general engage- ments. If they choose the latter, to be allotted at the discretion of the Mauritius Govern- ment, with a reasonable allowance for their own preference of an employer. A sirdar to be punished for asking, and an employer for giving to him, “anything beyond the fair stipulated wages or improved rations allowed to be paid to the sirdar for his special services.” - - - 13. These regulations appear to us to be in the main well-considered and sufficient. A few remarks, however, occur to us on matters not affecting their principles. (1.) We do not see why applications should be allowed to the emigration agent in India. It appears to us much safer and better that they should be all given in to the protector, and by him forwarded to the emigration agent, with such information and instructions as his knowledge of the applicants and circumstances of the Colony would enable him to give. (2.) The second rule is most necessary. But it appears to us it must be carried farther. The Indian Government will not allow the employment of private collecting agents. Every such agent, though acting in fact for an individual, should not only be subjected to “a certain restraint” on the part of the Emigration Agent, but should be distinctly a subor- dinate to that officer, and should act only in virtue of a licence from him, revocable in case of misconduct. The contract should be made before the emigration agent, or officer act- ing in that capacity, and perhaps should be made at once on the emigrant's arrival in the Calcutta or Madras depôts, otherwise the effect of the change may merely be to transfer the bidding for labour from the Mauritius depôt to the establishments in India. (3.) Copies of the contracts of immigrants with private persons will, of course, be sent to the Protector of Immigrants at Mauritius, in the ship which carries the contracting labourer. Such contracts should always be made in a form prescribed by law, on pain of being annulled by the Protector. (4.) We do not see that the Mauritius Legislature could affix a criminal character to acts committed at sea. This has been more than once decided by the law officer of the Crown. - (5.) Our own experience would lead us to apprehend that the endeavour to send different classes of emigrants in different ships, and still more the allowing individuals to supply O. 13. Q Q 3 ships TMA UIRITIUS. ºmºmºmº" 2.90. PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. ships for certain of the emigrants passing through the Government depôt, might embarrass. --- the Emigration Agent, who is generally chargeable with the duty of apportioning the supply of ships to the supply of emigrants. We would strongly recommend that neither of these rules should be adopted, unless the Government Agents are of opinion that they can be carried into effect without inconvenience. - (6.) In carrying out this regulation, we are inclined to think it would be advisable that every immigrant should, in the presence of the emigration agent in India, sign his name or mark either to a distinct contract binding him specially to serve a particular person, or to a contract binding him generally to serve such employer as may be chosen for him by the Government. This will secure that he understands clearly the terms on which he emi- grates—a point of peculiar importance where a change of system is contemplated. 14. We should doubt the policy of punishing sirdars or their employers for giving or receiving high wages. Such legislation is, we imagine, generally both oppressive and nu- gatory. The object should be not to punish, but to remove the opportunity for transactions of this kind, and this the proposed changes seem calculated to effect. If this plan is ineffective, we should apprehend that penal enactments would be still more so. 15. Subject to these observations, we see no reason against the adoption of Mr. Stevenson's plan with regard to the allotment of coolies. * 16. With regard to the period of service, he proposes that the coolie should be at liberty, if he chooses, to contract an engagement for five years, determinable at the expiration of the third or fourth year, on payment of a certain proportion of the expenses. 17. This, as Lord Stanley is aware, is very nearly the system which prevails in the West Indies, where the immigrant, during his five years of industrial residence, is only allowed to quit the master to whom he is originally allotted, on condition either of paying a certain sum or transferring himself to another employer; and in the latter case the second employer may be required to contribute towards the cost of introduction, in the same pro- portion as the first employer has been required to contribute. When the cost of introduc- tion has been in the first instance defrayed by the first employer, the result of this prin- ciple would be to require (whether through the evidence of a Government officer or other- wise) a payment from the second employer to the first. 18. Generally speaking, there can of course be no objection to the adoption of these principles in Mauritius. 19. But two circumstances should be observed as peculiar to the latter Colony. First, the cost of introduction is very small; the freights from Calcutta averaged, as far as we can ascertain— In 1854 tº- - - &- - * – 6 3 2 per adult. In 1855 - - - - - - - 3 14 9 , In 1856 - - tº sº - - - 3 11 5 9.9 Probably the whole average expense for the three years, including the cost of collection, was not more than 6 l. per adult. In the West Indies the cost is more than 14 l., and the employer in British Guiana is required to pay 10 (. Secondly, we observe that the rate at which new immigrants are indentured for their first three years is considerably less than the average rate of wages. In the West Indies, on the contrary, the immigrant receives the current rate of wages from the moment of his arrival. 20. If the agreement between the importer and the labourer be considered as in substance resting on the principle that the immigrant is entitled to the current wages, while the im- porter is entitled to deduct from those wages the cost of introduction (and certainly no view would be admissible which was more unfavourable to the immigrant), the above circumstances should be borne in mind in reduction of the employers’ claim. 21. With regard to the low rate of wages, indeed, it may be said that the immigrant is at first comparatively unserviceable; and with regard to the cost of importation, that in this cost should be reckoned the expense of introducing women, children, and other persons who, from sickness, deaths, or otherwise, become useless before they have worked out their passage. But with every fair allowance on these accounts, the payment which may justly be considered as due from the immigrant after he has completed his three years' indenture cannot be very large. 22. Perhaps the rate of redemption already sanctioned, 1 l, 12s. per annum (Ordinance 21 of 1854, s. 1), would not be in itself unreasonable. But we would strongly urge the expediency of a simple arrangement, and one which, after three years of indentured service, would place the immigrant, introduced under private contract, on the same footing which the Government emigrant is to occupy at the expiration of that period. 23. We are aware of no objection to Mr. Stevenson's proposal, that immigrants should be introduced under contract to work for Government or for persons engaged in any mechanical art; subject to the obvious qualification, that the occupation be one for which the coolies are by habit fitted, and to which they do not object. We have, &c. Herman Merivale, Esq. (signed) T. W. C. Murdoch. &c. &c. &c. Frederic Rogers, WEST IN DIA COLONIES AN. İ) \{AURITIUS. 29 | MAUH ITI U.S. Enclosure 2, in No. 18. —- - Sir, y Downing-street, 19 June 1858. Encl. 2, in No. 18. I AM directed by Secretary Sir E. Bulwer Lytton to transmit to you, for the considera- tion of the Commissioners of the Affairs of India, and for that of the Court of East India Directors, a copy of a Despatch from the Governor of Mauritius, having reference to the , 838, 30 Jan introduction of coolie immigrants from India, under the provisions of Ordinance No. 22 irºs, tiary of 1857, I am also to enclose a copy of a letter from the Colonial Land and Emigration %; Commissioners, to whom that Despatch was referred, for any observation they might have 17 M. to offer upon it. g Sir E. Bulwer Lytton is of opinion that all requisitions for immigrants ought to be trans- mitted through the Mauritius Government to the Government Agent in India, and that all recruiting for the coolies in India ought to be done by the Government Agent and by his subordinates, who should not in any manner be employed or rewarded by any private per- sons for their services. e With respect to the duration of the contracts which it is proposed should be valid in Mauritius, though made in India previous to the embarkation of the immigrants, Sir E. Bulwer Lytton is of opinion that such contracts should not, under any circumstances, be sanctioned for a longer term than three years, the immigrant however being required to hire himself to labour, under annual contract, for each of the two following years, or to pay instead a sum of 11, 12s. for each of those years. e - - - - e e Subject to these remarks and to the suggestions of the Emigration Commissioners on certain matters of detail, Sir E. B. Lytton sees no reason for not sanctioning the measures proposed by Governor Stevenson. - I have, &c. Sir George Clerk, K. C. B. (signed) H. Merivale. &c. &c. &c. Enclosure 3, in No. 18. Encl. 3, in No. 18. Sir, India Board, 16 July 1858. WITH reference to your letter of the 19th ultimo, respecting the consolidation and alter- ation of the laws relating to emigration from India to Mauritius, I am directed by the Com- missioners for the Affairs of India to enclose to you a copy of a letter from Mr. Dickinson, and also a copy of the Despatch to the Government of India, conveying the sentiments of the Court of Directors of the East India Company in regard to the proposed measures. `jºlosur . I am, &c. 185N. H. Merivale Esq., (signed) George Clerk. &c. &c. &c. 4. Sub-Enclosure 1. Sir, East India House, 14 July 1858. I HAVE laid before the Court of Directors Sir George Clerk's letter, dated 26th ultimo, forwarding a copy of a letter from the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, with its Enclosures, relating to the consolidation and alteration of the laws relating to emigration from India to Mauritius, and requesting the opinion of the Court on the proposed DOCa,SUlTGS. 2. On the general question of the consolidation of the laws relating to emigration to Mauritius, it is not necessary for the Court at present to make any remarks. 3. The alterations proposed by the Government in the existing regulations are suggested principally with the object of removing the evils which are represented to arise from the law at present in force, prescribing that no engagement entered into by the immigrants out of the Colony shall be binding, but that the labourers on their arrival in the Colony shall be free to take service with whomsoever they may choose. It is proposed, in super- session of this rule, that private individuals in the Colony shall be at liberty to engage labourers for their private service before they leave India, and that the engagements so entered into shall be absolutely binding on the immigrants. Governor Stevenson seemed to contem- plate the collection as well as the engagement of such labourers by means of private agency, but Her Majesty’s Emigration Commissioners, in their Report to the Secretary of State, express the opinion that private collecting agents should not be allowed, but that all recruit- ing agents should distinctly be subordinate to the Government Emigration Agent. This opinion is concurred in by Sir E. Bulwer Lytton, who further considers that all requisitions from private persons for labourers should be transmitted through the Government of Mauritius to the emigration agent in India, and that contracts made in India should be limited to three years' duration, the five years’ industrial service at present required being made up by subsequent voluntary engagement under penalty of a specified payment for each of the two years remaining. O. : 3. Q Q 4 - 4. The 292 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. sºmºsºmeºmº No. 19. Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M P. to Governor Stevenson. 17 August 1858. * Page 231. 4. The Court desire to acknowledge the great care which has been taken to free the pro- posed plan of engagement to individuals before leaving India of all risk to the Emigrants. Under the arrangements, as approved by the Right Honourable the Secretary of State, the alteration, as it appears to the Court, would amount to little more than permitting the engagement to be made before leaving the port of embarkation in India, instead of con- fining it to the depôt at the Mauritius, where, it is to be observed, it is required to be made within 48 hours after arrival, where the immigrant can have no further means of acquaint- ing himself with the characters of the planters and the advantages offered on their respec- tive estates, than at the time of his leaving India. The Court do not consider, therefore, that the proposed change would be attended with any of the dangers to the Indian Emi- grants to which a system of emigration organised by private persons would be liable, and they are accordingly prepared to give their assent to the principle, as they have indeed already done in regard to emigration from Bombay to British Guiana, subject to a reference to the Government of India for the settlement of the details of the scheme. 5. The Government of India had under their consideration the question of engagements by contract with private parties in the course of the past year, and stated in their letter, No. 24 of 1857, in the Public Department, their opinion of the provisions which should be introduced into the contracts. The Court do not doubt, therefore, that they will be pre- pared at once to decide on the terms on which such engagements should be perinitted to the planters of the Mauritius; and the Court, in preparing the accompanying draft Despatch on the subject, have not therefore thought it necessary to do more than transmit the present correspondence, which will be a sufficient authority for the Government to pro- ceed upon. I have, &c. The Secretary India Board. (signed) J. D. Dickinson. Sub-Enclosure 2. CoPY of a DESPATCH from the Court of Directors of the East India Company to the Governor General of India in Council. - July 1858. 1. WE forward to you a No. in the packet, a copy of correspondence with the Board of Commissioners for the Affairs of India, relating to a proposed consolidation and alteration of the laws relating to emigration from India to the Mauritius; but principally to the question of giving validity to contracts between private persons in the Mauritius and Indian labourers, to be made in India previous to the embarkation of the emigrants. 2. You will observe that we have expressed our willingness to sanction the alteration in this respect, proposed by the Government of the Mauritius, as finally approved by Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies; and we leave it to you to prescribe, in com- munication with the Government of the Mauritius, the precise terms and conditions on which the proposed scheme shall be carried out. - — No. 19. — (No. 66.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. to Governor Stevenson. Sir, Downing-street, 17 August 1858. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 12th May, No. 119," forwarding, together with other documents, a Report from the Mauritius Immigration Committee, urging the revocation of the rule restricting emi- gration from India to Mauritius to the six months during which emigration to the West Indies is not carried on, and the appointment of separate agencies at Calcutta and Madras for Mauritius and the West Indies, I have to refer you in reply to my predecessor's Despatch of the 4th June last, No. 74, which will have informed you that the wishes of the Committee have been anticipated. I have, &c. (signed) JE. B. Lytton. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 293 — No. 20. — (95.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. to Governor Stevenson. º Sir, - Downing-street, 26 October 1858. IN reply to your Despatch, No. 167,” of the 4th August last, reporting that a sum of 4,220 l. had been voted by the Council of Government for the enlargement of the immigration depôt, and that you had directed the Surveyor General to take immediate steps for executing this work, I have to state, that having referred your Despatch to the Lords Commissioners of the Trea- sury, they have informed me that they are of opinion that this expenditure may be sanctioned. I have, &c. (signed) JE. B. Lytton. — No. 21. — (134.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. to Governor Stevenson. Sir, Downing-street, 30 December 1858. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 24th Septem- ber, No. 205,T forwarding various Immigration Returns for the six months ending 30th June last. I transmit so you for your information a copy of a letter from the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners, to whom 1 directed these returns to be referred. I think it will be desirable that the Emigration Agents in India should be instructed to publish and circulate at the ports of embarkation and in the depôts a notice in the native language explaining to the coolies their rights as regards the rate of wages they are entitled to receive. I have, &c. (signed) E. B. Lytton. Enclosure in No. 21. Sir, Emigration Office, 20 November 1858. WE have to acknowledge your letter of the 6th instant, in which you transmit various Mauritius Immigration Returns for the half-year ended 30th of June. 2. There are in these returns some points which deserve notice. 3. The number of Indian coolies introduced from the three Presidencies during the above period was as follows: - Males. Females. ToTAL. From Calcutta - - <--> sº º - 3,379 1,501 4,880 , Madras º sº gº tº- º 1,620 '764 2,384 , Bombay º sº wº º - 584 294 878 ToTAL - - - 5,583 2,559 8,142 The departures during the same period amounted to 3,913, of whom 3,228 were males and 685 were females. which excess 2,355 were males and 1,874 females. On the half-yearly increase to the population, therefore, the females bore the proportion of about 80 per cent. to the males. O. 1 3. R R 4. The The excess, therefore, of immigration over emigration was 4,229, of MAURITI U.S. * No. 20. Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. to Governor Stevenson. 26 October 1858. * Page 237. No. 2 I. Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. to Governor Stevenson. 30 December 1858. + Page 242. Encl. in No. 21. 294 PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. *cºmºmº No. 22. Right Hon. Sir E § Lytton, Bart. M. P. to Governor Stevenson. 22 January 1859. * Page 243. avy 1969. \\\\ -º-ºnc)0 4. The total number of coolies remaining in the Colony on the 30th of June was 146,738, of whom there were— ** Males – * * = tº tº- tº-3 - 109,061 Females - tºº - - - - - 37,677 the proportion of females to males being 343 per cent. The number of births among the immigrant class during the half year amounted to 1,481, and the deaths to 1,495, being at the remarkably small rate of about two per cent. per annum. These small rates are pro- bably to be accounted for, the first by the paucity and irregular habits of the females, the second by the circumstance that immigrant labourers do not remain to die in Mauritius. 5. The average mortality on the voyage amounted to 1; per cent. ; that in the Calcutta ships to 2-3 per cent. ; in that in the Madras ships to 0-5 per cent. ; and that from Bombay 0.4 (or little more than one-third) per cent. The mortality in the Calcutta emigration is, of course, by far the greatest : being 5 or 6 times greater than in that from Madras or Bom- bay, nor can it be hoped that any precautions will wholly ueutralise the effects of the physical inferiority of the Bengal coolies, and the unhealthy passage down the Hooghley. It will also be observed that the deaths among the hill coolies are stated to exceed greatly those among coolies drawn from other districts. The small mortality in the “Ally” and “Bucephalus ” is ascribed to the small proportion of hill coolies on board. In the “ Appleton” 16 hill coolies died out of 131 embarked, and only 5 out of the remaining 273 immigrants. In the “Earl of Sefton ’’ 15 deaths out of 18 were among the hill coolies. In one ship only, the “ Startled Fawn,” it is remarked that the number of hill coolies was large and the mortality not excessive, though even in that ship it amounted to 3 per cent. .. 6. We have already drawn Mr. Eales’ attention to this point, and we shall again write to him, directing him to pay particular attention to the state in which this class of persons are embarked, and to avoid, if possible, placing a large number together in any one ship. 7. The average rate of wages among old immigrants is from 16 s. to 17s, a month; the usual rates among new immigrants from 10s. to 12s. All the coolies by one ship (the “Blue Jacket”) were engaged at Calcutta at 12 s. a month by the agent of a planter, named Rochcombe, under the provisions of the Ordinance No. 12 of 1855. These reduced rates would seem to indicate that the labour supply was more than equal to the demand. But they are said not to be due to this cause, but to the influence and misstatements of recruiters who bring the emigrants out under the idea that they are bound to serve at that rate, The Immigration Agent thinks that it would be advantageous for the coolies to publish and cir- culate at the port of embarkation and in the depôt a notice in the native language explaining the coolies’ rights in this respect; and this it appears to us might very properly be done. 8. Nothing further occurs to us on these returns on which we need trouble the Secretary of State with any observations. - We have, &c. e (signed) T. W. C. Murdoch. T. F. Elliot, Esq. - Frederic Rogers. &c. &c. &c. — No. 22. — (No. 151.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M.P. to Governor Stevenson. Sir, Downing-street, 22 January 1859. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 27th September last, No. 211,” having reference to the survey of emigrant ships proceeding from Mauritius to India. I transmit to you for your information and guidance, a copy of a letter from the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners, to whom I directed your Despatch to be referred. I regret to find from the report of the Protector of Immigrants which you enclose, that no survey of emigrant ships had ever taken place, and that he had never received a copy of the Passengers Act. These, however, are omissions which are chargeable on your predecessor, and not on yourself; but it will remain with you to give such instructions as will ensure a proper survey of all passenger ships before they are allowed to clear out for the colony. . - Te * I enclose four copies of the Passengers Act of 1855, and also of the Act of 1853. * ~ * - * I have, &c. (signed) E. B. Lytton. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 2 9 j Enclosure in No. 22. | Sir, º - Emigration Office, 8 January 1859. I HAVE to acknowledge your letter of 24th ultimo, enclosing a Despatch from the Governor of Mauritius on the subject of the “Bengal Merchant” emigrant ship. 2. The “Bengal Merchant” was taken up for the conveyance of return coolies from Mauritius to Calcutta. This vessel had been previously rejected at Calcutta as unsea- worthy, and no repairs had in the interval been effected in her. The Protector of emigrants, at Calcutta, in reporting the case, pointed out, that if the ship had met with bad weather, the lives of the coolies would have been in great danger, and suggested that all return coolie ships (not having taken emigrants to Mauritius) should be surveyed, and that no rejected ship should be accepted unless it could be shown that she had been properly repaired. 3. In reporting on the case, we pointed out, that an emigrant ship sailing from Mauritius to India would fall within the provisions of the Passenger Act, 1855, which requires a full survey of a ship and a certificate of her seaworthiness before she is allowed to clear. And we suggested, that the Governor should be requested to state whether such a survey had been made of the “Bengal Merchant;” and if it had, to send home the certificate given by the surveyors. The Governor now transmits, in answer, a report from the Pro- tector of immigrants, stating, that no survey of emigrant ships had ever taken place; that he had never received a copy of the Passenger Act, and was not aware of its provisions. He adds, however, that since the representation received from India about the “Bengal Merchant,” every ship taken up to carry return coolies has been surveyed “when she has not come in with immigrants,” and a copy of the survey has been forwarded to the Protector of immigrants in India. - 4. The omission to enforce the provisions of the Passenger Act in the case of return coolie ships from Mauritius, or to take any precaution that they were fit for their intended voyages, is certainly a very grave omission on the part of the authorities of the colony. There is great reason to be thankful that, notwithstanding the little care taken, no accident has happened. I would submit, that copies of the Passenger Act, 1855 (18 & 19 Vict., c. 119), and of the Act of 1853 (16 & 17 Vict, c. 84), which relates to the emigration of Asiatics and Africans, should be sent for the information of the Protector of immigrants. I also enclose for his assistance, a copy of the surveyor's certificate of survey, and of the emigration officer's certificate of clearance in use in this country. And I would suggest that it should be pointed out to him, that all passenger ships must be surveyed before they are allowed to clear out from the colony, and that no distinction can in this respect be made between ordinary ships and those which may have brought immigrants into the colony. I have, &c. Herman Merivale, Esq., C. B. (signed) T. W. C. Murdoch. &c. &c. &c. — No. 23.− (No. 172.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. to Governor Stevenson. Sir, Downing-street, 26 February 1859. I REFERRED your Despatch, No. 260,” of the 1st December last, on the subject of the ship “Bengal Merchant,” to the Emigration Commissioners for their report; and I transmit to you for your information a copy of the answer of the Commissioners. I have to express to you my concurrence in the remarks contained in this report. I have, &c. (signed) E. B. Lytton. Enclosure in No. 23. Sir, Emigration Office, 14 February 1859. I HAVE to acknowledge your letter of 5th instant, enclosing a further Despatch from the Governor of Mauritius on the subject of the ship “Bengal Merchant,” employed in the autumn of 1856 in the conveyance of return coolies to Calcutta. 2. In our report of 25th May last, it was stated, on the authority of a correspondence received from the Indian Board, that the “Bengal Merchant,” on her voyage from Calcutta to Mauritius, immediately before she was taken up for return coolies, leaked so much that her cargo was thrown overboard, and her pumps could scarcely keep the water under, O. 1 3. R R 2 “ although MAURITIUS. Encl. in No. 22. No. 23. Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. to Governor Stevenson. 26 February 1859. * Page 254. Encl. in No. 23. 296 - PAPERS RELATING TO THE MAURITIUS. sºmºsºmsº No. 24. Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. to Governor Stevenson. 1 April 1859. & Page 224. “although she met with no bad weather on the voyage.”. The Protector of immigrants in Mauritius now transmits a declaration from the master of the “Bengal Merchant,” to the effect, that on the voyage referred to she met with very bad weather; that she threw over only a portion of her cargo; that her voyage from Mauritius to Calcutta with return emi- grants was perfectly successful; and that she has since been taken up, without having been repaired, for the conveyance of Government stores to Rangoon. The inference which Mr. Hugon desires to have drawn is, that the ship was perfectly seaworthy when taken up for return coolies, and that no blame attaches to him in the matter. - 3. It seems unnecessary to pursue this discussion. It is admitted that the Government of Mauritius were unconscious that the Imperial Passenger Act applied to vessels carrying emigrants from that Island to India, and consequently that none of the precautions required by the Act to ensure the sea-worthiness of such vessels had been observed. I suggestedin my Report on this case of 8th, ultimo, that the real state of the law should be pointed out to the Governor, and that he should be furnished with copies of the Passenger Act. and of the certificates of survey and clearance in use in this country. If the law is. properly put in force, there is no risk that an unseaworthy ship will hereafter be employed. in the emigration service. But it is clear that whatever may have been the case with the “Bengal Merchant,” there has heretofore been no security on that point as regards ships. taken up in Mauritius. I have, &c. (signed) T. W. C. Murdoch. Herman Merivale, Esq., C. B. - &c. &c. &c. *. . — No. 24. — (No. 183.) - Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir' E. B. Lytton, Bart. M. P. to Governor Stevenson. Sir, Downing-street, 1 April 1859. WITH reference to your Despatch, No. 96,” dated the 24th April 1858, I have to inform you that Her Majesty's Government approve of the plan of placing the Emigration Agency at Bombay on the footing recommended by the Immigration Committee (involving a charge of 995 l. 16s. per annum for establishment and contingencies), subject to the annual revision which they propose, and of your having given effect to the measure in anticipation of sanction. º I have, &c. (signed) E. B. Lytton. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 297 A P P E N D I X. Appendix, No. 1. ST. LUCIA.—No. 2.—13th July 1857. (L. S.) F. Hincks. AN OR DINANCE enacted by his Excellency, Francis Hincks, Esq. Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the Island of Saint Lucia and its Dependencies, and by the Legis- lative Council thereof, &c. &c. &c., to amend the Ordinance, No. 3, of the 22d day of April 1854, providing for the Immigration of Coolies into this Colony. W H FR EAs it is expedient to amend an Ordinance passed by the Lieutenant Governor and Legislative Council of this Colony, on the 22d day of April 1854, entitled, “An Ordi- nance to provide for the Immigration of Coolies into this Colony, at the public expense, and for the regulation and government of such Immigrants.” Be it therefore and it is hereby enacted and ordained, by his Excellency Francis Hincks, *Esq., Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the island of Saint Lucia and its De- pendencies, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Legislative Council of Government, in exercise of the power and authority in him and them vested by Her Majesty in that behalf. 1. That the term Governor shall include any person lawfully administering the govern- ment of the Colony, and the term Immigration Agent shall include any stipendiary magis- trate or other person appointed by the Lieutenant Governor to exercise any of the functions , of the immigration agent. 2. And be it enacted, that it shall be lawful for the Governor in Council, from time to time, to make regulations for allowing to Indian labourers such holidays or days to be observed as religious festivals, as to him shall seem fit, anything in Section 14 of the said Ordinance of the 22d day of April 1854, to the contrary thereof notwithstanding. 3. And be it enacted, that it shall be the duty of the Immigration Agent to collect and take possession of the property of any cooly immigrant who shall die in this Colony, and (with the sanction of the Governor) to deliver all such property to any person in the Colony who shall establish a right to the same, or in the absence of any such person, to turn the said property into money, and pay the proceeds into the Colonial Treasury, in order that the same may be remitted to the person or persons in India or elsewhere who shall be entitled thereto. - 4. And be it enacted, that it shall be lawful for the Governor to make all regulations necessary for giving effect to the provisions of the last preceding clause, and any person contravening such regulations shall be liable, on conviction thereof, before the Royal Court of this island, to a penalty not exceeding 5 l. 5. And be it enacted, that the Immigration Agent shall board every ship arriving in the Colony with cooly immigrants, and shall ascertain and report to the Governor the number of immigrants embarked in hér, the state of their health, the number of deaths which have occurred on the voyage, and whether the provisions of the charter-party under which such immigrants have been conveyed from India have been performed, and the said immigration agent shall thereupon assign the said immigrants to planters, who shall be ready to employ them in manner provided by the hereinbefore mentioned Ordinance of the 22d day of April 1854, and still such assignment shall provide them with proper and sufficient food and lodging : Pro- O. 1 3. R. R. 3 vided Appendix, No. 1. Title. Preamble. * Words of enactment. Words of construction: and generalisation. Authority to Governor to regulate holidays to Indian labourers. Property of cooly im– migrants how to be dis– posed of by Immigra- tion Agent. Governor authorised to make regulations for enforcing the last pre- ceding clause. Penalty for contraven- ing regulations. Immigration Agent to board ship with cooly immigrants and report: the number of infmi- grants embarked, their health, and number of deaths, &c. Assignment of immi- grants by Immigration Agent in terms of the Ordinance of the 22d April 1854. 208 PAPERS RELATING TO THE Appendix, No. 1. Wages. In all allotments wishes of immigrants to be attended to. No husband and wife or parent and child to be separated. Inspection by immigra- tion agent of estates on which Indian labourers are employed. Immigration Agent to inquire into complaints and report the result to Governor. Penalty for obstructing Immigration Agent in ** vided always, that the wages payable to the said immigrants (subject to the deductions men- tioned in Schedule A. to the said Ordinance), shall be equal to the wages paid to labourers not receiving gratis medical attendance, lodging, or provision grounds: Provided also, that in such allotment the wishes of the immigrants shall, as far as possible, be ascertained and attended to, and that in no case whatever shall any husband and wife, nor any parent or child, be allotted to different employers. 6. That the immigration Agent shall, at least twice in the course of every year, inspect every estate on which Indian labourers are employed, and shall ascertain whether such immigrants are properly treated, and shall inquire into any complaints which may be made by the employer against the immigrants, or by the immigrants against the employer, and shall report the result to the Lieutenant Governor; and any person obstructing the immi- gration agent in the performance of such duty shall be subject and liable to the penalties imposed by Section 23 of the said Ordinance of the 22d day of April 1854. the performance of his duties. Power of Immigration Agent, with the sanc- tion of Governor, to cancel contract. IDuties of Immigration Agent, when ships leave the Colony with return immigrants, to be the same as those 7. And be it enacted, that it shall be lawful for the Immigration Agent, with the sanction of the Governor, to cancel the contract of service of any cooly immigrant, who, being paid according to the quantity of his work, shall not have received work sufficient in the opinion of the said immigration agent to enable him to earn a reasonable amount of wages. 8. And be it enacted, that in respect of all ships leaving the Colony with return imini- grants, the Immigration Agent shall perform all the duties imposed on emigration officers in England, by the Passengers Act, 1855. imposed on emigration officers in England by Passengers Act 1855. Certain words in Sec- tion 1st of the Ordi- nance of the 22d April 1854, and 9th and the 24th sections of the said Ordinance repealed. Immigrants who are entitled to a free pas- sage back to India. Notice to applicant for return passage when such passage can be given to him. Allowance to be granted to cooly immi- grant entitled to a free passage until such passage be offered him. Governor to provide back passage for cooly immigrant unfit for labour. Contract how and when valid. Ordinance when to be in force. 5 9. That the words “at the expiration of their industrial residence,” in Section 1 of the hereinbefore mentioned Ordinance of the 22d day of April 1854, and the 9th and 24th Sections of the said Ordinance are repealed, and the same are hereby repealed accord- ingly. 10. And be it enacted, that every cooly immigrant shall be entitled to a free passage back to India who shall have resided ten years in the Colony, and during the said ten years shall have completed an industrial residence of five years in manner prescribed by the aforesaid Ordinance of the 22d day of April 1854; Provided always, that no such free passage shall be applied for except within 18 months of the time at which it shall have become due. 11. And be it enacted, that the Governor shall give to each applicant for a return passage at least three months' notice, as precise as circumstances render possible, of the period at which such passage will be offered him. 12. And be it enacted, that there shall be paid to every cooly immigrant, who shall become entitled to a free passage to India, the sum of 25 S. for every six calendar months which shall intervene between his application for such passage and his receiving an actual offer of or opportunity for the same. & 13. And be it enacted, that the Governor may provide a back passage, at the expense of the Colony, for any cooly emigrant who may have become unfit for labour at any period of his industrial residence. 14. And be it enacted, that except as provided by the said Ordinance of the 22d day of April 1854, no contract of service made for a period of more than three months by any cooly immigrant, not having completed his industrial residence, shall be valid as against such immigrant unless it shall have been made in the presence of and approved by the immigration agent, not unless there shall have been paid to such Immigration Agent the sum of 12s. 6d. for every period of six months for which such contract is to endure. 15. And be it enacted, that this ordinance shall take effect and be in force, from and after the proclamation thereof. Given under my hand and the great seal of the said Island of Saint Lucia, this 13th day of July, in the year of our Lord 1857, and in the 21st year of her Majesty's reign. - By command, (signed) Henry H. Breen, Colonial Secretary, WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 99 Appendix, No. 2. ST. LUCIA.—No. 18–19th November 1857. (L. S.) - Henry H. Breen, Administrator of the Government. Appendix, No. 2. AN ORDINANCE, enacted by Henry Hegart Breen, Esq., Administrator of the Government Title. of the Island of St. Lucia and its Dependencies, and by the Legislative Council thereof, &c. &c. &c., to make provision from the General Revenue of the Colony, for the deficiency arising in the “Education Fund,” in consequence of the repeal of certain clauses of the Ordinance No. 7, of the 13th day of February 1851, entitled : “An Ordinance to raise Funds for Promoting the Education of the Inhabitants of this Island, and for facilitating their means of intercourse by the Construction and Maintenance of Roads and Bridges.” WHERE As by clause 3, of the Ordinance No. 7, of the 13th day of February 1851, entitled: “An Ordinance to raise funds for Promoting the Education of the Inhabitants of this Island, and for facilitating their means of intercourse by the Construction and Main- tenance of Roads and Bridges,” a tax of 6 s. 6d. is imposed for, and in respect of every house within the limits of this Colony, except as therein excepted. And whereas, by the said Clause 3 of the said Ordinance, it is further enacted that of the aforesaid sun) of 6 s. 6d., 4s. shall be placed by the Colonial Treasurer to the credit of a fund to be called the “Education Fund,” and be at the disposal of the Board of Education. And whereas, by the Ordinance No. 12, of the 19th day of November 1857, entitled: “An Ordinance to repeal the existing Laws in respect to Roads and Bridges in this Island of St. Lucia, and to make better provision for the formation and keeping in repair of the Public Roads and Bridges of the said Island,” the said Clause 3 of the said Ordinance No. 7, of the 13th day of February 1851, has been repealed ; and in consequence of such repeal, there will be a deficiency of about 500 l. sterling in the said “Education Fund.” Be it therefore and it is hereby enacted and ordained, by Henry Hegart Breen, Esq., Administrator of the Government of the Island of St. Lucia and its Dependencies, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council of this Island, in exercise of the powers and authority in him and them vested by Her Majesty in that behalf. 1. That for the purpose of supplying the deficiency which may arise in the “Education Fund,” in consequence of the repeal of the aforesaid tax of 6 s. 6d., it shall be lawful for Her Majesty’s Treasurer, and he is hereby authorised, to appropriate in each and every year from any surplus of the General Bevenue of the Colony, a sum not exceeding 500 l. sterling, which sum shall be carried to the credit of the said “Education Fund,” and be at the dis- posal of the Board of Education. 2. And be it enacted, That this Ordinance shall take effect, and be in force, from and after the Proclamation thereof. Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the Island of St. Lucia, this 19th day of November, in the Year of our Lord 1857, and in the 21st year of Her Majesty's reign. George M. McLeod, Chief Clerk. Duly proclaimed in the Town of Castries, on the 15th day of June, in the year 1858. Chs. Bennett, Provost Marshal. By Command, (signed) Appendix, No. 3. ST. LUCIA.—No. 5.-21st July 1858. (L. S.) Henry H. Breen, Administrator of the Government. AN OR DINANCE enacted by Henry Hegart Breen, Esquire, Administrator of the Govern- ment of the Island of Saint Lucia and its Dependencies, and by the Legislative Council thereof, &c. &c. &c., to amend the Ordinance No. 7 of the 2nd day of May 1850, entitled “An Ordinance for promoting African Immigration into the Colony of St. Lucia, and the Industry of the Immigrants.” WHEREAs by a certain Ordinance made and passed in this Island, on the 2d day of May 1850, for promoting African immigration into this Colony of St. Lucia, and the in- dustry of the immigrants, it is among other things provided that no agreement shall be construed to be an engagement to labour, within the meaning of the said Ordinance, unless such agreement shall be expressed to be, if a first agreement, on the part of the immigrant, for the term of 12 months. And O. l 3. R R 4 Preamble. Enacting clause. Authorises H. M. Treasurer to appro- priate annually out of any surplus of the general revenue a sum not exceeding 500 l., and to carry same to credit of “Education Fund,” to be at disposal of Board of Education. Ordinance to be in force on and after its proclamation. Appendix, No. 3. Title. Preamble. 300 PAPERS RELATING TO THE Appendix, No. 3. And whereas by the said Ordinance it is further piovided that in cases of captured Africans, who on their arrival in this Colony shall not have attained the age of 17 years, it shall be lawful to make their first contract for service extend over the period between the date of the said contract, and the date of their attaining the age of 18 years. And whereas it is expedient to amend the said, Ordinance, by extending the period for which agreements may be made with African immigrants in this Colony. "Words of enactment. Be it therefore, and it is hereby enacted and ordained by Henry Hegart Breen, Esquire, Administrator of the Government of the Island of St.Lucia, and its Dependencies, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Legislative Council of this Island, in exercise of the powers and authority in him and them vested by Her Majesty in that behalf. Agreements with 1. That from and after the proclamaticn of this Ordinance, every agreement with an †...a African immigrant, who on his arrival in this Colony shall have attained the age of 18 years, the age of is years to shall be expressed to be for a term not exceeding three years, to commence from the date be for a period not of such agreement. exceeding three years from date of agreement. #. * 2. And be it enacted that every agreement with an African immigrant, who on arrival in i., this Colony shall not have attained the age of 18 years, shall extend from the date of such from date of agreement agreement to the date of his attaining the said age of 18 years. to date of attaining said age of 18 years. gº t tº g Ordinance, when to be , ‘’’ And be it enacted that this Ordinance shall take effect, and be in force from and after in force. the proclamation thereof. Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the said Island of St. Lucia, this 21st day of July, in the year of our Lord 1858, and in the 22d year of Her Majesty's reign. By command, (signed) George M. M. Cleod, Chief Clerk. Appendix, No. 4. Appendix, No. 4. (L. S.) No. 560. C. Ready, Lieut.-Colonel, Administrator of Government. No. CCLXXX. AN Act to promote the Immigration of Free Labourers from Africa.-(26th May 1858.) Expenses incurred BE it and it is hereby enacted by the Governor, by and with the Advice and Consent of for jūji. of the Legislative Council and Assembly of the Island of Grenada and its Dependencies, that African immigrants it shall be lawful for the Governor from time to time to issue and pay from and out of the to be paid out of Colonial Treasury, to such person or persons as Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State º Colonial for the Colonies shall from time to time appoint, all and every such sum and sums of money, reasury. charges, costs, or expenses as shall or may from time to time be paid, expended, or incurred by Her Majesty's Government, or by the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners, Ol' by the Governor of any or either of Her Majesty's Colonies or possessions in Africa, or by any person appointed or to be appointed by them, or either of them, in the hiring, employ- ing, or licensing of any vessel for bringing or sending any free and voluntary immigrants into this Colony from any of Her Majesty's said Colonies or possessions in Africa, and in providing for the maintenance and clothing of such immigrants during their passage, and such other just expenditure as shall be caused by and be necessarily incidental to such immigration. ~! e Incorporated with 2. This Act shall be incorporated with the Act passed on the 8th day of September, 1 El Act §. 230. the year of our Lord 1855, intituled “An Act to alter the Law of Contracts with regard to Immigrants, and for the Encouragement of Immigration, and for the general Regulation of Immigrants,” and be read and construed with the said Act as one Act. Passed the Assembly the 5th day of May, in the year of our Lord 1858. - (signed) John Wells, Clerk of Assembly. Passed the Legislative Council the 5th day of May, in the year of our Lord 1858. (signed) Samuel Mitchell, - Clerk of Council. Dated at Grenada, this 26th day of May, 1858. (L. M. S.) - (signed) Henry Garraway, * Speaker. (signed) F. Y. Checkley, President. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 301 Assented to by his Honour the President and Commander in Chief, this 26th day of May, in the year of our Lord 1858, and in the 21st year of Her Majesty's reign. (signed) Samuel Mitchell, Colonial Secretary. Duly published in the town of St. George, in the Island of Grenada, this 26th day of May, in the year of our Lord 1858, and in the 21st year of Her Majesty's reign. (signed) Henry Sharpe, Provost Marshal. (A true copy.) Samuel Mitchell, Colonial Secretary. Appendix, No. 5. (L. S.) No. 561. C. Ready, Lieut. Colonel, Administrator of Government. No. CCLXXXI. AN ACT to impose certain Duties upon the Exportation from this Government of certain Goods, grown, produced, or manufactured in Grenada or its Dependencies, to be applied for the purposes of Immigration, and for no other purpose. (September 6, 1858.) WHEREAs it is expedient to grant a further aid to Her Majesty for the purposes of immi- gration, by imposing certain duties upon all sugar, molasses, rum, and cocoa grown, pro- duced, or manufactured in and exported from the Island of Grenada or its dependencies; Be it therefore and it is hereby enacted by the Governor, the Legislative Council and Assembly of Grenada and its dependencies, as follows:– 1. From and after the passing of this Act there shall be raised, levied, collected, and paid unto Her Majesty, her heirs and successors, the several duties set forth in figures in the Schedule of Duties to this Act annexed, upon the exportation from this Government of any sugar, molasses, lum, or cocoa grown, produced, or manufactured in Grenada or its dependencies. 2. Before any vessel shall depart this island or any of its dependencies, the master, except as hereinafter mentioned, of such vessel shall make out and deliver to the public treasurer at the Treasury in the town of Saint George, or Colonial revenue officer at the port of shipment, a manifest outwards, according to the form marked (A) in the Schedule to this Act annexed, signed by him, of the goods laden on board of such vessel, and the names of the respective shippers of such goods, with the marks and numbers of the packages or parcels of the same, and shall declare to the truth of such manifest as far as any such particulars can be known to him ; Provided always, that in the case of any steam vessel, or other vessel now or hereafter to be employed in carrying the mails between England and this island, or between this island and the other Islands and Colonics in the West Indies, the master thereof shall not be required to deliver or declare to any such manifest outwards as aforesaid; but such vessel shall be permitted to depart this island, and the agent or superintendent of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company at the port of Saint George, instead of such master, shall, within 24 hours after the departure of every such vessel, make out and deliver to the public treasurer at the said Treasury, a similar manifest outwards of the goods laden on board of such steam or other vessel as last aforesaid, and make a similar declaration as to the con- tents and other particulars of such manifest in all respects as is hereinbefore in that behalf required of masters of vessels departing from this island. 3. Every master of any such vessel (except as before excepted) who shall depart or attempt to depart from this island, or any of its dependencies, without having delivered to the treasurer or Colonial revenue officer as aforesaid such manifest outwards, or without having declared to the truth of the same as aforesaid, or who shall deliver a false manifest outwards, and every agent or superintendent of the said Company who shall fail or neglect, within 24 hours after the departure of any steam or other vessel employed in carrying such mails as aforesaid, to deliver to the treasurer as a foresaid such manifest outwards as is hereinbefore required to be made out and delivered by him to such treasurer, or who shall neglect or refuse to declare to the truth of the same, or who shall deliver a false manifest outwards, shall, on conviction thereof before any two or more justices of the peace, forfeit and pay a fine not exceeding 20 l., and in default of payment shall be imprisoned for a term not exceeding three months. 4. Every person, upon exporting from this Government any goods, shall, by himself or authorised agent, deliver to the public treasurer, or Colonial revenue officer at the port of shipment, a bill of entry thereof, according to the form marked (B) in the Schedule to this Act annexed, expressing the name of the vessel, and of the master and of the place to which the goods are to be exported, and the quantities and proper denominations or descriptions of O. : 3. S S such Appendix, No. 4. Appendix, No, 5. ſºmº, Preamble. Duties to be paid on exportation of produce specified in Schedule annexed. Manifest of cargo to be delivered by lmaster of vessel previously to departing. Proviso as to vessels carrying nails. Penalty for not de- livering or declaring to the truth of manifest, or for delivering a ſalse manifest. Bill of entry out- wards to be deli– vered by person exporting, and who shall declare to the truth thereof, and pay dutics. 302 * PAPERS RELATING TO THE Appendix, No. 5. Tenalty for not de- livering or declaring to the truth of bill of entry, or for de- livering a false bill of entry. Duties, &c. levied under this Act, how to be applied. I)uration of Act. such goods, as well as the respective packages containing such goods, and in the margin of such bill of entry shall delineate the respective marks and numbers of such packages, and shall specify and state in such bill of entry which, if any, of such goods have been grown, produced, or manufactured in this island or its dependencies, and if any duty shall be payable on any such goods, according to the value, number, Weight, or measure of such goods, such value, number, weight, or measure shall be stated In the entry; and the person who shall make such bill of entry shall, in writing, on such bill of entry, declare to the truth of the the same, and sign such declaration in the presence of the public treasurer, or such Colonial revenue officer, at his office, and shall then and there pay all duties payable in respect of such goods. 5. Every exporter of goods who shall fail or neglect to deliver such a bill of entry as hereinbefore required, of the goods so exported or intended to be exported by him, and every such exporter or agent as aforesaid who shall neglect or refuse to declare to the truth of any bill of entry delivered by him as aforesaid, or who shall deliver to the treasurer or Colonial revenue officer any bill of entry which shall be false in any particular, shall, for each and every such offence, upon conviction thereof before any two or more justices of the peace, on the complaint of the treasurer or a Colonial revenue officer, forfeit and pay a sum not exceed- ing 20 l., over and above the amount of duties payable in respect of such goods, and in default of payment of such penalty and duties, or either of them, shall be imprisoned for a term not exceeding 30 days. * - 6. All taxes, duties, and moneys which shall be levied, paid to, or received by the public treasurer under this Act, shall be applied solely for the purposes of immigration; and all fines and penalties hereby imposed shall be paid to the treasurer at the said Treasury, and shall be and the same are hereby reserved to Her Majesty, her heirs and successors, for the public uses of this island and its dependencies, and in support of the Government thereof. 7. This Act shall continue in force for three years, and no longer. SCHEDULE of DUTIES Payable on Articles grown, produced, or manufactured in and exported from this Island or its Dependencies, under the authority of this Act. º s. d. Sugar—-For every hind. of 42-inch truss, not exceeding 2,000 lbs. in weight 6 8 Ditto – ditto - - 40-inch ditto - ditto - 1,800 ditto - – 6 — Ditto – ditto - - 38-inch ditto - ditto – 1,650 ditto - – 5 6 Ditto – tierce * = tº e gºe - ditto - 1,000 ditto - - 3 4 Ditto - barrel * --> tº gº - ditto - 250 ditto - - – 10 All other packages, for every 100 lbs. of the weight thereof — — — 4. Molasses—For every puncheon - - - - * -º — — — — I 6 Rum - ditto puncheon, not exceeding 120 gallons content - - 2 6 Ditto - ditto hogshead, not exceeding 60 ditto — tºº º - I 3 Other packages or quantities, for each and every gallon thereof.- — — — 4 Cocoa-For every 100 lbs. of the weight thereof - - gº *g — — .2 And at and aſter the same rates for any greater or smaller quantity. Port of (A.) Content in the tº Master, for Tons, Guns, Men, ſ Passengers *. OT } Built of l Troops. Marks and Nos. & of Shippers. Quantity and Description of Goods. Consignees. Packages. *- : **** I, - Master of the Wessel above named, do declare that the content above written, now tendered and subscribed by me, is a just and true account of all the goods laden on board my ship for this present voyage, and of the names of the respective shippers and consignees of the said goods, and of the marks and numbers of the packages containing the same. Signed and Declared before me, at the -- the Day of 185 at the Port of ** WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 303 Appendix, No. 5. - ... (B.) ‘Outwards. In the Ship - Master, for Exporter's name. Denomination of Marks and Nos. Packages, Place of Growth OIA º Ol' Consignees. Value. Duty. Packages. and Description of Production. Goods. - I do declare that the above is a true account of the 3. goods shipped by me, and that the value set opposite the same is correct. Declared to before me this day of 185 Passed the Assembly this 17th day of August, in the year of our Lord 1858. (signed) John Wells, - Clerk of Assembly. Passed the Legislative Council this 18th day of August 1858. . (signed) Samuel Mitchell, Clerk of the Council. Dated at Grenada, this 6th day of September, in the Year of Our Lord 1858. (signed) Henry Garraway, Speaker. (L. M. S.) (signed) C. Ready, Lieut.-Colonel, Administrator of the Government. Assented to by his Honour the Administrator of the Government and Commander in Chief, this 6th day of September, in the year of Our Lord 1858, and in the 22d year of Her Majesty's reign. * (signed) Samuel Mitchell, Colonial Secretary. Duly published in the Town of St. George, in the Island of Grenada, this 6th day of Sep- tember, in the year of Our Lord 1858, and in the 22d year of Her Majesty's reign. (signed) Henry Sharpe, Provost Marshal. (A true copy.) (signed) Samuel Mitchell, Colonial Secretary. Appendix, No. 6. Appendix, No. 6- (L. S.) - C. Ready, - No. 564. Administrator of Government. No. CCLXXXIV. An ACT to Improve the Laws regulating Immigration to Grenada, and to increase the Salary of the Immigration Agent.—(17 November 1858.) Be it enacted by the Governor, the Legislative Council, and the Assembly of the Island Preamble. of Grenada and its Dependencies, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, as follows:— 1. All complaints, differences, and disputes which shall arise between employer and Jurisdiction over immigrant respecting any matter or thing treated of in the Act, intituled, “An Act to alter ºomplaints under the Law of Contracts with regard to Immigrants, and for the Encouragement of Immi- º . gration, and for the general Regulation of Immigrants,” or in any other Act amending the ji. º same, shall and may be heard and determined (except where otherwise specially provided) - by any special or local stipendiary magistrate, as well as by the police magistrate, or by any two justices, and it shall be lawful for any such special or local stipendiary magistrate sitting alone to do any act authorised by the said recited Act to be done by the police magistrate sitting alone, or by any two justices of the peace. O. 1 3. S S 2 2. After 304 - PAPERS RELATING TO THE Appendix, No. 6. Salary of Immi gra- tion Agent to be 150 l. per annum. No. 230 and this Act to be as one. Appendix, No. 7, Liberated Africans to be deemed for all purposes as na- tural-born subjects. Who to be deemed liberated Africans. I’rovisions of the Acts for abolition of the Slave Trade not to be affected. Operation of Act. 2. After the passing of this Act, the Immigration Agent shall be paid annually such salary, not exceeding 150 l., as the Governor in Council shall determine, instead of the salary mentioned and provided in the sixth section of the said recited Act, and so much of the said sixth section of the said recited Act as provides a salary for the Immigration Agent shall be and the same is hereby repealed. 3. This Act shall be construed as one Act with the said recited Act. Passed the Assembly this 27th day of October, in the year of our Lord 1858. (signed) John Wells, Clerk of Assembly. Passed the Council this 27th day of October 1858. (signed) Samuel Mitchell, Clerk of Council. Dated at Grenada, the 17th day of November 1858. (signed) - Henry Garraway, - Speaker. (L. M. S.) - (signed) C. Ready, Administrator of the Government. Assented to by his Honour the Administrator of the Government and Commander-in- Chief, this 17th day of November, in the year of Our Lord 1858, and in the 22d year of Her Majesty's reign. (signed) Samuel Mitchell, Colonial Secretary: Duly published in the Town of Saint George, in the Island of Grenada, this 17th day of November, in the year of Our Lord 1858, and in the 22d year of Her Majesty's reign. (signed) Henry Sharpe, - Provost Marshal. (A true copy.) Samuel Mitchell, Colonial Secretary. ~. Appendix, No. 7. No. 481. ANNO WICESIMO VICTORIAE REGINAE. Cap. IX. AN ACT to remove Doubts as to the Rights of the Liberated Africans in Tobago.— (11th May 1857.) - BE it and it is hereby enacted by the Governor by and with the Advice and Consent of the Legislative Council and the Elective Legislative Assembly as follows:– 1. All Liberated Africans domiciled or resident, or who hereafter may be domiciled or resident in the Island, shall be deemed to be and to have been for all purposes as from the date of their being brought into or of their arrival in this colony, natural-born subjects of Her Majesty, and to be and to have been capable of taking, holding, conveying, devising, and transmitting any estate real or personal within this colony. 2. For the purposes of this Act, the words “Liberated Africans” shall mean and include: all persons dealt with or detained as slaves; who heretofore have been or hereafter may be seized or taken under any of the Acts for the Abolition Ol' Suppression of the Slave Trade by Her Majesty's ships of war or otherwise, and liberated or delivered to the officers- appointed to protect, receive, or provide for such persons and all other persons who as having been dealt with, carried, kept, or detained as slaves may have been taken and liberated, or received, protected, or provided for under any of the said Acts. 3. Provided always, that nothing in this Act shall in anywise prejudice or interfere with any of the provisions in relation to such Liberated Africans as aforesaid of the laws in force for the abolition or suppression of the slave trade. 4. This Act shall not come into operation until Her Majesty's pleasure thereon shall be: signified in this colony. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITRUS. 305 Appendix, No. 8. ST. VINCENT. No. 702. AN ACT to alter the Law of Contracts with regard to Immigrants, and for the Encourage- ment of Immigration, and for the General Regulation of Immigrants.--I16th October, 1857.] WHEREAs certain persons have been appointed agents by Her Majesty to superintend the emigration of labourers from certain places to Her Majesty's Colonies in the West Indies, Be it enacted by the Governor, Council, and Assembly of the Island of Saint Vincent and its dependencies, and it is hereby enacted, by the authority of the same, as follows:– 1. The Governor may, from time to time, pay a part of the salary or remuneration granted by Her Majesty to each of such agents as are or may be hereafter so appointed, in pro- portion to the number of emigrants that may be sent to this Colony and its dependencies. 2. The Governor may pay the amount of every moderate and necessary expense, incurred at any port or place where any such agent is appointed, for the collection of emigrants, in conveying emigrants to the port of embarkation, in maintaining them there, for a period not exceeding 15 days, and in providing them with such supply of clothing as may be requisite for their voyage to this Colony, upon the receipt from such agent of an account thereof, duly vouched, showing the particulars of such expenditure, countersigned by the Governor of such place, or by such officer as he may appoint, if the same be a British possession, or by Her Majesty's Consul at any foreign port or place, such Governor, Officer, or Consul, as the case may be, certifying thereby, so far as he knows, that such expenditure has been solely incurred for the purposes aforesaid, or for any such purposes, and is just and reasonable, and may likewise pay the amount of any expenditure incurred by Her Majesty's Government, or by Commissioners appointed by Her Majesty's Govern- ment, at the request of the Governor and Council, in the hiring, employing, and licensing of any vessel for bringing or sending emigrants to this Colony from the East Indies or from China, and in providing for the maintenance and clothing of such emigrants during their passage or otherwise, in employing on board any such vessel a surgeon, and such other just expenditure as shall be caused by and be necessarily incidental to such emigra- tion to this Colony, and all just expenses caused by and necessarily incidental to sending back any immigrants from the East Indies, at the expiration of their stipulated term of residence, to the place from whence they shall have been brought or sent into this Colony. 3. The Governor in Council may, from time to time, by proclamation, name the ports or places from which emigration on bounty is permitted to this Colony, and may fix such rate of bounty as to him shall seem just for indemnifying the person at whose charge any immigrant may be introduced into this Colony, for the expense of his maintenance and passage from the port of embarkation, and shail, in his proclamation to be issued for that purpose, declare the number of weeks deemed necessary for the voyage of any such ship or vessel from such respective ports or places to this Colony: provided always, that no rate of bounty shall be fixed, and that no bounty shall be allowed for the importation of any immi- grant, who may be incompetent or unwilling to engage in agricultural labour, or for any immigrant above the age of 40 years, unless in either case such immigrant shall be one of a family of immigrants arriving in the same vessel, and provided that bounty or passage money shall not be paid for any greater number of immigrants imported by any one vessel from the Island of Madeira, from any of the Azores, Cape de Verds, or Canary 1slands, and other places of similar distance, than at the rate of one immigrant for each ton of the measurement of said vessel. 4. Any person who, having first obtained a licence to that effect from the Governor in Council, which licence the Governor in Council shall grant or refuse at discretion, shall introduce at his own expense immigrants, under written contract with him for service upon his own plantation, shall be entitled to receive from the immigration funds one-half of the rate or bounty which would have been payable, under any such proclamation, as aforesaid, for each such immigrant, if introduced at the public expense; provided that the person applying for such licence as aforesaid, shall give to the Governor in Council such sécurity as he may require for the carrying out the object of such licence, and that the number of such immigrants paid for shall not exceed the number stated in the licence to be granted to such person, as aforesaid. 5. The Governor to nominate and appoint a fit and proper person, to be styled “The ; ,-- e y 2 & * & Immigration Agent,” and any such person, from time to time, to remove, and appoint another in his place. 6. That such agent shall keep an office in the town of Kingstown, and there shall be paid to him, from the colonial treasury, the sum of 100 l., by quarterly payments, out of any moneys raised for inimigration purposes, on the warrant of the Governor, and 10 l. per annum for office rent; provided that such agent shall not be entitled to nor receive any part O. : 3. S S 3 of Appendix, No. 8. Payment of agents, Payment of ex- penses abroad. Governor to name: places for Emigra- tion on Bounty, and fix rate and number of weeks allowed for passage. Limitation of Bounty. Rates payable to private importer. Appointment of Int, migration Agent. Agent to keep office in town, and to receive a salary ºf 100 l. 306 PAPERS RELATING TO THE ſ g zºº, Appendix, No. 8 Proceedings on ar- rival of vessel with immigrants. Bounty or passage- money to be pai on certificate. Schedule (A.) Agent to provide for unemployed immigrants. Registers of immi- grants to be kept. ^ Application by em- ployer requiring immigrants. Contracts made with Indian and African immigrants out of Colony, when binding. of such salary, until the arrival in this Colony of immigrants, to be introduced subject to the provisions of this Act. * a s ~. - 7. Upon the arrival of any vessel, having immigrants on board, the Immigration Agent, accompanied by the Health Officer of the port, shall forthwith proceed on board of such vessel, and the two shall ascertain, by personal inspection of the vessel and immigrants, whether the provisions of the Imperial Passenger Act, for the time being, so far as they may be applicable, have been complied with or not; and such Immigration Agent and health officer shall personally muster such immigrants, and compare the number and names of such immi- grants with the duplicate list, if any, furnished to the master by the agent at the port of embarkation, which he shall require such master to produce and deliver to him, and shall certify upon such duplicate list the name of the vessel, the total number of immigrants then living and on board such vessel, together with the state or condition of such immigrant, his fitness for agricultural labour, and at whose cost and charges he is inſported; and in case any immigrant shall have died during the passage, or the number or names of the immi- grants shall differ from the number and names of the immigrants stated in such duplicate list, the Immigration Agent shall note such death or difference upon such duplicate list, and thereupon, with the approbation of the Governor, shall grant a licence for the disembarkation. and landing of the immigrants from such vessel. - 8. If the Immigration Agent, with the assistance of the Health Officer of the port, on personal inspection of the vessel and immigrants, shall be satisfied that the provisions of the Imperial Passengers Act, for the time being, in so far as they apply, have been fully complied with, he shall transmit to the Governor a certificate, in the form annexed, marked (A.), stating in the same the date of arrival in this Colony of such immigrants, and the place from whence, and the vessel in which such immigrants shall have arrived, and the sum of money payable in respect of such immigrants, and thereupon the Governor shall issue his warrant to the public treasurer to pay the same; provided that bounty or passage money shall be paid only for such immigrants as are landed alive in this Colony. 3. 9. If any immigrants shall not, on their arrival, be immediately provided with employ- ment, it shall be the duty of the Immigration Agent, with the approval of the Governor, to provide such immigrants with wholesome and sufficient food and with convenient lodging on shore, until the means of earning their own subsistence can be procured for them ; and the Immigration Agent shall deliver to the Governor an account, supported by all necessary vouchers, of the expenditure incurred by him in procuring such food and lodgings, and if such account be approved of by the Governor the same shall be paid. w 10. The Immigration Agent shall keep separate registers of all immigrants introduced into this Colony; that is to say, firstly, a register of immigrants from any of Her Majesty's dominions in the East Indies, or from the possessions of the East India Company; secondly, a register of indentured Africans; thirdly, a register of Portuguese immigrants; fourthly, a register of Chinese immigrants; and fifthly, a register of all other immigrants, not coming under the denomination of any of the immigrants mentioned in any of the aforesaid classes; and shall, in each of such registers, insert the name of each immigrant thereto belonging, and the number attached to his name, in the list delivered by the master of the ship in which he shall be imported, and shall number each of the immigrants of each class by a particular number, proceeding in regular order with the other numbers, so that no two immigrants of the same class shall bear the same number; and shall also insert in each of such registers, under different heads, the number, name, age, sex, size, birth-place, and any distinguishing mark of every immigrant belonging to such class, and the name, if such can be ascertained, of the parents of such immigrant, the time when, the place from whence, and the name of the party, if any, at whose cost and charges such immigrant may be imported, and the name. of the vessel in which such immigrant shall have arrived, together with the cost of the passage of such immigrant, and whether such immigrant will or will not be entitled to a return passage, and of the amount of money which may have been advanced to such immi- grant previous to his arrival in the Colony, and which is to be repaid by him out of his wages. 11. Any employer, who may be desirous of locating immigrants on his plantation, under the provisions of this Act, shall make application to the Immigration Agent, fully setting forth, in writing, the situation of such plantation, the name of the proprietor thereof, the number and description of the immigrants required, the nature of the labour to be performed, and all other particulars; and no such application shall be received, unless such employer shall also satisfy the Immigration Agent that comfortable and sufficient, accommodation, a suitable hospital and medical attendance, according to law, have been or will be duly pro- vided for such immigrants, and the Immigration Agent shall make and keep in his office a true and faithful register of all such applications, numbering them in the order in which they shall be respectively received, such numbering, however, not to give any right of prefer- ence to any person or plantation, over any other person or plantation, and every such application shall remain good and valid, until the number of immigrants applied for shall be allotted, or unless such application be withdrawn by the applicant, or be rendered invalid by the death, insolvency, or absence unrepresented of the party making the same. 12. Unless by permission of Her Majesty's Government, previously had and obtained, no contract entered into by any employer with any immigrant from any part of India, or from any part of the African continent, or from the island of Madagascar, or from any other - - * island WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 307 island adjacent to the coast of the African continent, and inhabited by the negro race, shall be valid, unless the same shall have been made within this Colony. 13. If any labourer, arriving in this Colony from Madeira, the Azores, the Canaries, or the Cape de Verd Islands, or from any part of Europe, or of the West Indies, or of the United States, or of the British Provinces of North Ainerica, or from China or from any port or place from which immigration, on bounty, shall have beet, permitted by such procla- mation, as aforesaid, except from any place mentioned in the 12th clause of this Act, shall, before his arrival, have contracted with any person to perform service in this Colony, such contract shall, when approved and countersigned by the Immigration Agent, and subject to such alterations as the said agent nay, with the consent of the parties, have made therein, be valid in this Colony, provided such contract, or the same with such alterations thereto as aforesaid, be not in violation of any of the provisions of this Act; and provided that, except as hereinafter mentioned, no such contract shall be so approved and countersigned, unless it shall have been signed with the names or marks of the contracting parties, and attested by soime notary public or British Consul, or by some other person, approved by or acting under authority of Her Majesty's Government, who shall declare that the parties entered into it voluntarily, and with a full understanding of its meaning, nor unless the Immigration Agent shall be satisfied that the immigration has been carried on in accordance with all existing regulations of the Imperial or Colonial Government. 14. If the Immigration Agent shall not be satisfied, or shall find the contract not to be so signed and attested as aforesaid, he shall report the same to the Governor, who may, if he shall think fit, notwithstanding such report, direct the Immigration Agent to approve and countersign such contract in manner aforesaid. 15. Every immigrant from the Island of Madeira, from any of the Islands of the Azores, -or the Cape de Verd or Canary Islands, or from Her Majesty's dominions in the East Indies, or from the possessions of the East India Company, or from China, or from any part of the African continent, from which immigration shall be permitted by Her Majesty's Government, who shall not, before arrival, have entered into contract, to be approved as aforesaid, and every liberated African of the first class shall be indentured, in the form annexed, marked (B.), for a period of three years from the date of his arrival, and every such immigrant, other than one from the African continent, or a liberated African, shall, at the end of the said three years, enter into a second indenture with the same employer for a further term of two years, or shall pay, in commutation thereof, the sum hereinafter enacted ; but every such immigrant entering into such second indenture shall be entitled, at the expi- ration of one year's service under such indenture, to pay, in commutation of the remaining year's service, the sum hereinafter enacted. - 16. Every immigrant, other than one from the African continent, or a liberated African, who shall elect to pay a sum of money, in commutation of service under indenture, shall pay in com- mutation of two years' service, the sum of 5 l. sterling, and in commutation of one year's service the sum of 2 l. 10s. ; and if any such immigrant shall fail to declare to the Immigration Agent or to the police magistrate, or, if there be no police magistrate, to the presiding justice of the peace of the police district in which such immigrant may be then resident, not less than one, nor more than three months, before the expiration of the indenture under which he may be then serving, whether he desires to be re-indentured, or whether he will pay, in commutation of service under indenture, the sum of money enacted for commutation of service as aforesaid, or, having elected to pay in commutation of such service, shall fail to pay the sum of money appointed for such commutation of service to the Immigration Agent, or to the police magis- trate of the district in which such immigrant may be then residing, at least 14 days before the expiration of the indenture under which he may be then serving, such indenture shall thereupon be deemed to be renewed, in like manner as if such immigrant had applied to be re-indentured; and the Immigration Agent, or such magistrate, as the case may be, shall, within eight days after such election, and after such payment in commutation of service as aforesaid by such immigrant, notify the employer of such immigrant of such election and payment respectively, for his guidance in that behalf. 17. Every immigrant of African descent, not being a British subject, who shall come, for the purpose of settling within this Colony, from any part of the United States or of the British Provinces of North America, and who shall have entered or shall enter into contract as aforesaid, shall, after three years' residence in this Colony, and on taking the oath of allegiance to Her Majesty before the Governor, in the presence of the Secretary of the Colony, be entitled, within this Colony, to all the privileges of a natural-born British subject; and such Secretary shall enter, in a register to be kept in his office, the name, sex, and age of every such immigrant taking the said oath, and the day when, and the vessel in which such immigrant shall have arrived, and the party with whom such immigrant shall have entered into contract, as aforesaid; and such register, or an extract therefrom, certified by such Secretary, shall, upon proof of the identity of such immigrant, be sufficient evidence of the right of such immigrant to the privileges aforesaid. 18. All liberated Africans who may be hereaſter sent to this Colony at the expense of Her Majesty's Treasury, shall be divided into two classes, the first class of whom shall comprise all those who, upon the inspection of the Immigration Agent and the Health Officer, shall be considered to be of the age of 15 years and upwards, and the second class O. l 3. S S 4 of Appendix, No. 8. What other con- tracts may be made out of Colony. The Governor may direct Immigration Agent to approve Contract. Form of indenture, Commutation for service. Naturalization of aliens of African descent. Classification of liberated Africans, 308 PAPERS RELATING TO THE Appendix, No. 8. Contract with liberated Africans of the second class. Schedule (C.) . Recovery of ad- vances to Chinese immigrants. Location of immi- grants, Schedule (B.) and (Q.) Bounty to be paid by employer of immigrants. Colonial Secretary to have list of allot- ments and amounts due. List of immigrants to be published annually. Schedule (D.) Manager of planta- tion to keep muster roll. Schedule (E) of whom shall comprise all those who, upon such inspection as aforesaid, shall be considered to be under the age of 15 years. - - . . . . . 19. All liberated Africans of the second class shall be indentured until they shall have attained the age of 18 years; in the form annexed, marked (C.), or in such other form as may be approved by the Governor. . *. 20. Any person to whom any Chinese immigrants shall be allotted, for whose introduc- tion bounty may be claimed, and who shall, previously to their embarkation, have entered" into a contract, engaging them to repay advances made to them by monthly deductions from their wages, shall pay to the party with whom such contract shall have been made the amount of such advances, provided the same shall not exceed 2.l.. 10s. for each immi- grant, and such first-mentioned person shall be authorised to recover such amount by monthly deductions from the wages earned by such immigrants, in the proportion of not more than 4s. 2d. per month. - 21. On the arrival in this Colony of any immigrants not already under a contract with some individual, the Immigration Agent shall, with the approval of the Governor, proceed to locate them on such plantations as they may prefer, or, if they do not desire to exercise any preference, shall locate them, in such numbers and proportions as circumstances will admit of, on those plantations for which applications, for immigrants shall have been pre- viously made; and each employer, before he shall become entitled to the services of such im- migrant, shall enter into a contract, according to the form annexed, marked (13.) or (C.), with such immigrant, or with the Immigration Agent, in his behalf, as the nature of the case may require, for such period as any such immigrant is, by any of the preceding sections of this Act, required to be indentured upon arrival, which said contract shall be in triplicate, aud shall be prepared by the Immigration Agent, and for preparing which such Immigration Agent shall be entitled to the sum of 1s., and no more, for each such contact in triplicate as aforesaid, to be paid by the party to whom the immigrants are to be allowed; and one copy of such contract shall be delivered to the immigrant, another to the employer, and the third shall be forwarded to the police magistrate for the district, or, if there be no police magistrate, to the presiding justice for the district; provided that it shall not be lawful for the said Immigration Agent, in locating such immigrants as aforesaid, to separate husbands from wives, nor children under 15 years of age, from their parents or natural protectors; and provided, further, that no immigrants shall be allotted to any employer who is in arrear in the payment of any sum due to the Colony for or on account of immigrants previously allotted to such employer. • * x 22. Every employer to whom any immigrant shall be indentured on arrival as aforesaid shall, on or before the execution of such indenture, pay to the Public Treasurer one half the bounty or passage money which shall be due or shall have been paid in respect of such immigrant; and if, at the expiration of the third year of contract of any immigrant, or of indenture of any immigrant, under the form (B.) hereunto annexed, such immigrant, whether such immigrant be imported at the public expense or under private contract, according to the provisions of the fourth clause of this Act, shall not, at the expiration of the third year of his service under contract or indenture as aforesaid, re-indent himself to his said employer for two years further service, but shall pay the sum of money hereinbefore enacted for commu- tation of such two years' service; then and in such case such employer shall be entitled to demand from the Treasurer of this Colony, and 3 nil receive out of the Immigration Fund, a sum of money equal to one-fifth of the aforesaid bounty or passage-money'of such immigrant; and if such immigrant shall re-indent himself for the further period of two years, or continue in the service of his said employer beyond the period of three years, under his said first indenture or contract, but at the expiration of his fourth year of service, or of the first year under the second indenture, shall pay the sum of money hereinbefore enacted, for commutation of his fifth year of service under indenture, then and in such case such employer shall be entitled to demand from the said Treasurer, and shall receive out of the said Immigration Fund, a sum of money equal to one-tenth of the aforesaid bounty or passage-money of such immigrant. 23. The Immigration Agent shall, whenever he allots immigrants, transmit forthwith to the Colonial Secretary a list of the estates to which such immigrants have been allotted, stating the number and description of immigrants allotted to each, and the amounts paid by such estates respectively for such immigrants. - 24. The Immigration Agent shall as soon as possible after the first day of January in each and every year, publish in the official Gazette of the Colony a list, in the form annexed, marked (D), or in such other form as may be approved of by the Governor, of all vessels which have arrived in the Colony with immigrants during the year preceding, the number of immigrants so arrived, and the distribution of such immigrants. -- 25. The manager or person in charge of any plantation or estate, upon which any Chinese, Indian, or African immigrants shall be employed, whether under contract or indenture, or under monthly contracts, as hereinafter provided, shall for each and every month that such immigrants shall continue to be so employed, keep a muster roll of such immigrants, in the form annexed, marked (E.), and it shall be the duty of such manager or person in charge, and he is hereby reqnited to direct all such irumigrants to attend each day, at such convenient time or times, and at such convenient place or places on the plantation or estate, as may by him be assigned for thai purpose; and such manager or person in charge shall then and • - w ... there, WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 309 there, either personally, or by means of some person deputed by him, call over the names of all such immigrants, and note upon the muster roll, whether they or any of them are present or absent, and such muster roll shall daily be signed by the person by whom the names shall have been so called over, and shall be carefully preserved by the manager or person in charge of the plantation or estate, for the purposes of this Act; and any manager or person in charge of any plantation or estate who shall fail to comply with the provisions of this section, or shall make any false entry in the muster roll to be by him kept, shall be liable on conviction to a penalty not exceeding 4l. for every such offence, and in default of payment to imprisonment not exceeding five days. 26. Every verbal or unwritten contract or agreement for the hire of any immigrant, shall in the absence of proof of any express agreement between the parties to the contrary, be deemed and taken in law to be a contract or agreement for one month, and to be renewable from month to month, and shall be deemed and taken in law to be so renewed by the parties, unless a week’s previous notice or warning be given by either party to the other of his or her intention not to renew the same, and the wages for such service shall be payable weekly; and any employer shall be entitled to discharge any immigrant hired under the provisions of this section, without previous notice, provided such immigrant be instantly paid his wages for the time he has served, and also for 15 days from the time of such discharge; provided that any such verbal or unwritten contract or agreement may at any time be determined by the misconduct of either party, in their relative capacity of employer and servant, which may be proved by either party against the other. 27. If any employer shall terminate any contract or agreement, made with any immigrant under the provisions of the preceding section, except with the consent of such immigrant, or by giving notice or paying wages, or for misconduct, as therein provided, such employer Apper dix, No. 8. Form of verbal contract. Penalty on breach of verbal contract by employer. shall forfeit and pay to the use of the immigrant a sum equal to one month's wages, ac- cording to the rate of wages which may have been fixed by and between the parties, or if the rate of wages shall not have been so fixed, then such sum as the presiding magistrate or justices may consider fair and reasonable as and for a month’s wages, in addition to the wages due to the immigrant at the time of the termination of such contract. 28. On any complaint made by any employer against any immigrant, for refusing or wil- fully neglecting to perform any verbal or unwritten contract, such immigrant shall be at liberty to show by evidence in answer to such complaint, that he terminated his service or contract in consequence of ill usage by his employer, or for some other good and sufficient cause, to be judged of by the presiding magistrate or justices. 29. lf any employer shall ill use any immigrant, he shall be liable on conviction to a penalty not exceeding 10 l. 30. Upon any complaint made by any employer or immigrant, the magistrate or justices by whom such complaint shall be heard, may, in addition to any other order made on such complaint, award to such immigrant the whole or such proportion of the wages appearing due to him, as such justice or justices shall think reasonable, or shall authorise the employer to retain the whole or any specified portion of such wages, and may discharge such employer or immigrant from his contract or service, and shall in such case give to such employer or immigrant as the case may require, a certificate of such discharge and of such award, with- out any fee or consideration. - - 31. If it shall be made to appear to the Governor that any employer of any indentured immigrant, or other person acting under his authority, shall have been convicted of gross or repeated ill usage or ill treatment of any such immigrant, the Governor may direct the immigrant so ill used or ill treated, and also if he shall so think fit, every other immigrant indentured to such employer, to be released and discharged from all further service to such employer, and thereupon such immigrant or immigrants shall be wholly discharged from all further service to such employer; and the Governor shall direct the Immigration Agent to indenture immigrants discharged under the provisions of this or of the preceding section, to such other employer as to him may seem fit : Provided always, that the term of service for which any such immigrant shall be indentured, by any such new indenture, shall not, together with the time of his or her past service, exceed the period of service for which such immigrant was previously bound. - - - 32. Any immigrant who without reasonable cause shall neglect or refuse to attend at the daily call of the muster-roll, or at and during the time and hours, or at the place where and when he shall have contracted or agreed to attend, in commencing or carrying on any work, during such hours as it shall be usual so to attend, or who without reasonable cause shall leave unfinished or refuse to finish any work contracted or agreed to be done, or who shall be guilty of any drunkenness, wilful disobedience of orders, insolence, or neglect of duty, or other misconduct in the service of his employer, or who shall quit the service of such em- ployer without leave or reasonable cause, before the end of the period stated in his inden- ture, or before the end of the period for which he shall have verbally contracted or agreed to serve, as the case may be, he shall on conviction thereof, forfeit the whole or any part of any wages then due, and not exceeding the wages of one week, and be punished by fine or imprisonment, with or without hard labour, at the discretion of the presiding magistrates or justices, such fine not to exceed 4l, and such imprisonment not to exceed 30 days. Immigrant may prove ill usage in defence. Penalty on ill usage. . Justice may dis- charge from con- tract, and decide in any case as to wages due, in addi- tion to any other order on complaint made. Governor may dis- charge immigrant from service, on account of ill usage by employer. o.13. - - T T * 33. In Immigrant ab- senting himself, re- fusing to work, or guilty of miscon- duct. 31 O PAPERS RELATING TO THE Appendix, No. 8. On complaint of absence, muster roll to be produced. Governor in Council may make rules for general treatment of immi- grants. Hours of labour. Employer failing to provide employ- ment. Abatementof wages for misconduct. Immigrant endan- gering or destroying property. Limitation of period for prefer- ring complaints. Issue of certificate of industrial resi- dence. Schedule (F.) Or of exemption from labour. Register of certifi- cates. 33. In the case of any complaint made by any employer against any Chinese, Indian, or African immigrant, for absenting himself from his service or employment, it shall be lawful for the presiding magistrate or justices, and he and they is and are hereby required, to demand the production of the muster-roll of the plantation or estate, for the month during which such absence shall have taken place, and if such muster-roll shall not be produced, or if it shall appear on inspection thereof, and shall be proved in evidence that the names of such immigrants have not been duly called over, as hereinbefore enacted, then aid in any such case such complaint shall be dismissed. . - •. 34. It shall be lawful for the Governor in Council, from time to time, to make and pro- mulgate rules and orders respecting the lodging, medicine, medical attendance, care, food, and clothing, and for the general treatment of all immigrants, and the regulations, so made, shall be deemed part of the contract of the employer and the immigrant. - 35. Every indentured immigrant, in the absence of any express agreement to the contrary, and except in case of illness, shall be bound to work upon or in the service of the plantation mentioned in his indenture for nine hours of each day, Sundays, Good Friday, New Year's- day, and Christmas-day only excepted: Provided always, That during his absence, on account of illness, every such immigrant shall, in the absence of any express agreement to the contrary, receive, instead of wages, such allowances as the state of his health may require. & *. 36. If it shall be established before any two justices of the peace, on complaint preferred by any indentured immigrant, that such immigrant is not provided by his enployer with sufficient work to enable him to earn a just amount of wages, in terms of his contract, such justices shall declare and adjudge the contract or indenture of such immigrant to be thereby cancelled; and thereupon it shall be lawful for the Governor to cause such immigrant to be in:entured to some other employer, who shall be required to pay or to give promissory notes, in manner and form provided by section 24 of this Act, for such sums as may be the due proportion of the bounty or passage-money, for the unexpired period of the term of service transferred to him, the original employer and his estate remaining liable, however, for such sum or sums as may be due, for the expired term or proportion of the whole period of service, as expressed in the original contract or indenture. g 37. Upon any complaint by any immigrant for non-payment of wages, or damages for breach of contract, or misconduct by his employer, it shall be lawful for the presiding magis- trate or justices to make a proportional abatement out of any sum to be awarded as the wages or damages due to such immigrant, for such days or time as he shall be proved to have been, without the consent of his employer, absent from or neglecting his service or work, and also for the value of any damage done to the property of his employer, by or through the misconduct, or negligence, or carelessness of such immigrant. 38. If any such immigrant as aforesaid shall, by negligence or other improper conduct, ose, throw away, endanger, or damage the property of his employer, or shall endanger such property by a careless or improper use of fire, or shall cruelly ill use any cattle or other live stock belonging to his employer, or entrusted to his care, or by negligence shall suffer or occasion to be cruelly ill used any such cattle or live stock, every such offender, on con- viction thereof, shall be punished by fine or imprisonment, with or without hard labour, such fine not to exceed 4 l., and such imprisonment not to exceed 30 days. 39. No complaint by any employer against any immigrant, or by any immigrant against any employer, made under any of the twelve preceding sections of this Act, shall be enter- tained unless the same shall be preferred within 30 days after the occurrence of the subject matter of such complaint; and, upon the hearing of any such complaint, no abatement or deduction shall be made from the amount determined to be due to either party, by reason of any misconduct, of which such party may have been guilty, at any time exceeding 30 days before the institution of such complaint. 40. Every immigrant, of whatever description, who shall have completed the term of service, under contract or indenture, hereinbefore required of him respectively, or shall have paid the sums hereinbefore required to be paid in commutation of such service, shall be entitled to demand and receive from the Immigration Agent, free of all charge, a certificate of industrial residence, to be written or printed according to the form in the Schedule (F.) to this Act annexed, and shall and thereupon be released from all further obligation to perform service, under contract or indenture, and such certificate shall be delivered, free of cost, to such immigrant by the said Immigration Agent at the proper time, if he can be found, whether application shall be made for the same or not; provided that it shall be lawful for the Governor, on being satisfied that any immigrant is, whether from sickness or any other cause, permanently disabled and unfit to perform any labour, to authorise the Immigration Agent to grant a certificate of exemption from labour, and provided that notice shall be published by the Immigration Agent for the space of one month before the issue of any cer- tificate under this section of the intention to issue the same. 41. The Immigration Agent shall keep a register of all certificates issued under the pro- visions of the preceding section, which register shall contain the description, sex, age, and any other distinguishing mark, as clearly as the same can be set forth, of every immigrant to whom any such certificate may be granted ; and if, at any time, any question shall arise, whether before a court of law or elsewhere, respecting any such immigrant, and he shall be unable WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 3 I 1 unable to produce such certificate, an extract from the said register, under the hand of the said Immigration Agent, accompanied by a certificate under his hand of the identity of such immigrant, shall be deemed good and sufficient evidence; and if at any time any immigrant shall prove to the satisfaction of the said Immigration Agent that such certificate has been lost or destroyed, he shall be entitled to receive a duplicate of the same on payment of the sum of 2 s. for such duplicate. 42. Every employer of any immigrant under indenture shall, within 24 hours from the time at which any such immigrant shall have deserted from such plantation, report such .desertion at the nearest police station, stating in such report the number and name by which such immigrant is described in his indenture, with the date thereof, and any other informa- tion likely to facilitate the apprehension of such deserter; and so soon as any report of a desertion is delivered to the officer in charge of such police station he shall copy the same, and send on such report to the nearest police station in each direction, and the police officers respectively in charge of such station shall, in like manner, copy and send on such report from station to station, until it reaches the inspector of police, and such inspector shall, at the end of each quarter, make up and transmit to the Governor a return, in the form marked (G.) of all desertions so reported, and of the result up to that date; and in case any em ployer shall fail to comply with the provisions of this section, he shall forfeit and pay a sum of not less than 20 s. nor more than 40 s. 43. Every person who shall harbour, conceal, or employ any immigrant, being at the time under a written contract to labour for some other employer, or who shall remove, or entice, or solicit away from his employer any immigrant, shall, for every such offence, on conviction thereof, forfeit and pay a penalty not exceeding 10 (., and shall further pay to the employer to whom such immigrant shall be indentured the sum of 8s. for each day during which such immigrant shall be proved to have been so harboured or empleyed, and if the employer or person in charge of any such immigrant shall state, upon oath, before a justice of the peace that he has reasonable cause to suspect that such immigrant is harboured, concealed, or employed on the premises of any person, such justice of the peace may grant a warrant to search for such immigrant, and bring him or her, and the person by whom such immigrant may be harboured, concealed, or employed, before him, to be dealt with as provided by this Act: Provided always, that in every case in which any dispute or difference shall arise, as to whether any person who shall have harboured, concealed, or employed any immigrant, being at the time under a written contract to labour, or who shall have removed or enticed away, or shall have solicited or enticed any such immigrant to remove from the employment or service of his or her employer, had knowledge of any such immigrant being at the time under such contract, the proof of the absence or want of knowledge of every such person shall be on such person, and the proof of the knowledge of such person shall not be on the party aggrieved, complaining, or informing. 44. It shall be lawful for the employer of any Chinese, Indian, or African immigrant, under a written contract to labour, for the servant of such employer, or for any member of the police force or rural constable to apprehend without warrant such immigrant who, on Appendix, No. 8. Extract to be evi- dence; issue of duplicate, Employer to report desertion of immi- grant forthwith. Publication of report. Schedule (G.) Penalty on har- bouring or enticing away immigrant under indenture. Apprehension of immigrant wan- dering from estate. any day on which he shall be bound to labour, shall be found at a distance of more than two miles from the estate on which he shall be engaged to labour, without a ticket of leave signed by such employer, and to cause such immigrant to be taken back to such estate, and that it shall be lawful for any member of the police force or constable, if he shall see reasonable cause for so doing, to call upon any such immigrant to produce to him his certificate of industrial residence, or ticket of leave, and if such immigrant shall be unable or shall refuse so to do, then, without any unnecessary delay, to take such immigrant before the police magistrate or any two justices, to be dealt with according to law; and that if affidavit shall be made before any justice, showing reasonable ground to suppose that any immigrant is harboured, or concealed, or employed on the premises of any person, such justice shall grant a warrant to search for such immigrant, to bring him before him to be dealt with according to law. 45. Every employer of immigrants under a written contract to labour, shall on or before the 10th day of January and 10th day of July in each and every year, make out and transmit to the Immigration Agent a return, in writing, of the number of immigrants who were in his service under written contract on the last day of the preceding six months, which return shall be made out in the manner and form specified in the schedule hereto annexed marked (H.), and shall be described as the return of the person with whom such immigrant shall have been under a written contract or otherwise, and shall contain a specification of the total number of such immigrants, and also of all deductions from the original number of immigrants under written contracts as aforesaid, which shall have taken place within the last preceding six months, by death or desertion, stating the names, numbers, and vessels of import of those who may have died or deserted, and also of those who may have returned to the performance of their contract after their desertion, giving the like description; and also of the births of any children among such immigrants, speci- fying the ages and sexes of such children, and the names and numbers of their parents; and also a declaration that the contents of such return are in all respects true and correct; and any person who shall neglect to transmit within 14 days after the time specified, any such return as aforesaid, shall pay a sum of 40 s, and a like sum for each and every subsequent month during which such neglect shall continue; and any person O. 1 3. T T 2 \ making Half-yearly returns of immigrants by employers. Schedule (H.) 31 2 PAPERS RELATING TO THE Appendix, No. 8. Return to be made of immigrant im- prisoned. Entry in register of births, deaths, and desertions. Suspension of issue of certificate. Provision of accom- modation hospital. Instruction of Africans. Inspection of plan- tation by Immigra- tion Agent. Penalty on obstruc- tion of Immigration Agent. e Issue of passports to immigrants. Right of coolies to back passage. making or signing any such return or declaration, knowing the same to be false, shall be liable to be punished, as by law provided in the case of wilful and corrupt perjury. 46. Whenever any Chinese, Indian, or African immigrant under indenture, shall be sentenced by any court of criminal jurisdiction, or by any justice of the peace, under any Act or law in force, to any term of imprisonment, it shall be the duty of such court of criminal jurisdiction, or of such justice, as the case may be, within the period of one calendar month from the date of such sentence, to cause to be delivered to the Immi- gration Agent a return setting forth, as accurately as may be, the name of such immigrant, the name of the estate to which he is indentured, the offence of which he shall have been convicted, and the term of imprisonment to which he shall have been sentenced. 47. The Immigration Agent shall enter in the proper place in the register required by the 10th section of this Act, all such births and deaths as shall be reported to him, under the provisions of section 45, or as shall in any other manner be brought to his knowledge; and shall keep a separate book in which shall be entered a full description of every immigrant reported to have deserted, or to have been imprisoned, and the period during which he shall in consequence have been absent from the performance of his contract, and if it shall appear by such separate book that any such immigrant shall have been, whether at one time or upon different occasions, absent from the performance of his contract for one month or more, for each year that he shall have been indentured, it shall be lawful for the said Immigration Agent, and he is hereby required to withhold the certificates by the 40th and 41st sections of this Act required to be given, until such immi- grant shall have completed the term of industrial residence required by law. 48. Every estate on which such immigrants, whether indentured or not indentured, are located, shall be provided with comfortable and sufficient dwellings, and with a proper hospital, and hospital furniture, medicine, and nurses, and shall have a regularly licensed medical practioner to attend the sick, and in default thereof, the proprietor of such estate shall be liable to a penalty of 4 l., and a like sum for each and every 14 days during which such default shall continue, and that it shall be lawful for the Governor, if he shall think fit so to do, in the case of any proprietor convicted more than once of a breach of the provisions of this section, within a period of three months, to direct all such immi- grants to be released and discharged from all further service to such employer, and there- upon, such immigrants shall be wholly discharged from such service, and the Governor may direct such immigrants to be indentured to any other employer, whom he may select, and who may be willing to receive the same. 49. All indentured Africans, of the second class, shall be allowed one afternoon in each week, to be appointed by the Governor, for the purpose of receiving education and religious instruction; and any manager or other person in charge of a plantation, preventing the attendancé of any such African at any School on such aſternoon, as aforesaid, or obstructing the minister of the parish, or any minister of the Christian religion, or any licensed school. master, duly authorised thereto by the Governor, in visiting and instructing any such African, or neglecting or refusing to provide a fit and proper place, if required so to do by the Immigration Agent, until the appointment of an inspector of schools, and after such appointment by such inspector, for the communication of such instruction, shall forfeit and pay a sum not exceeding 20 S. for each such offence, to be recovered upon the complaint of the Immigration Agent or Inspector of Schools, or any person authorised by him in writing: Provided always, that any such African, who shall absent himself from work, on such after- noon, as aforesaid, and shall not attend the school provided for him or receive instruction therein, shall be liable to be punished by fine or imprisonment, in manner and form provided by section 32 of this Act. 50. It shall be lawful for the Immigration Agent to enter into and upon any planta- tion where any immigrant may be employed, and to inspect the state and condition of such immigrant, and inquire into any complaint, which the employer may have against any such immigrant, or any such immigrant may have against his employer. 51. Every person who shall wilfully do any act, whereby the Immigration Agent may be prevented or obstructed in the performance of his duty under this Act, shall on conviction thereof, before any two or more justices of the peace, forfeit and pay such sum, not exceeding 10 l. for every such offence, as to the convicting justices shall seem fit. : 52. Every immigrant, who shall have acquired a right to certificate of industrial residence, shall and may demand and receive from the Immigration Agent a passport, which shall be delivered to him, free of all charge whatsoever, and such immigrant shall thereupon be at liberty to depart from this Colony, on paying the expense of his own passage: Provided always, that nothing in this section contained, shall be deemed or taken to imply any obligation upon this Colony to provide a passage for any such immigrant, at any time before the expiration of the term for which he shall have consented to reside therein. 53. Every immigrant from Her Majesty's dominions in the East Indies, or from the possessions of the East India Company, who shall arrive in this Colony, and who shall have acquired a certificate of industrial residence, in manner provided by the 40th, clause of this Act, shall be entitled, at the expiration of 10 years, from the time of such arrival, and upon payment to the Immigration Agent of the sum of 7 l. 5 s. 10 d., to be provided with a back passage, WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 3 3 passage, to the port from which he sailed, at the expense of this Colony: Provided that no such payment shall be required of any such immigrant, who shall enter into indentures of service for the last five years of the period of his engagement, each contract being of not less than one year's duration, or who shall pay to the Immigration Agent the sum of 2 l. 10 s. for each such year, during which he has not been under contract; and every indenture or contract, which may be made under the provisions of this clause, shall be made in manner provided by the 21st clause of the said Act; and every employer, with whom any such immigrant shall enter into such indenture or contract, shall, at the time of the execution of the same, in addition to the fee by the said clause imposed for the preparation thereof, pay to the Immigration Agent a sum calculated at the rate of one-tenth of the bounty or passage money paid for the introduction of such immigrant, for every year of the period stated in such indenture or contract, provided also that no such immigrant shall be entitled to such back passage, unless claimed within 18 months from the period when he shall have become entitled to the same. 54. There shall be paid to every Indian immigrant, entitled to and who shall claim back passage, 25s. for every half-year which may intervene between his application for and the actual offer of or opportunity for such back passage, and so in proportion for any less period than six calendar months during which any such lndian immigrant, so entitled to and having claimed a return passage, may be detained in this Colony for want of opportunity for such back passage. 55. In order to secure to immigrants from the East Indies the means of communication in their own language there shall, when practicable, be embarked from the port of departure in India one person capable of acting and engaged to act as interpreter for every 100 such immigrants, which person, or some other duly qualified person, shall be employed so to act in this Colony at a reasonable salary, to be paid, on the warrant of the Governor in Council, out of the funds provided for immigration purposes. 56. It shall be lawful for the Governor in Council, from time to time, to make regulations for securing the savings and accumulations of property belonging to Indian immigrants, who may die in this colony leaving property, for the benefit of the relatives of such deceased immigrants, and for the realisation of such property, and the transmission thereof to the relatives in India of such deceased immigrants. 57. It shall be lawful for the Governor in Council, from time to time, to make regulations for allowing to any Indian labourers such holidays, or days to be observed as religious festivals, as to him shall seem meet. 58. The Governor may order a back passage to be provided, at the expense of the Colony, for any immigrant who may have become permanently unfit for labour, anything herein- before contained to the contrary notwithstanding. 59. In order to facilitate the return of Indian immigrants who shall be entitled to back passage, wholly or in part at the expense of this Colony, it shall be lawful for the Governor, when there shall not be any convenient opportunity of providing such back passage from this Colony direct to the port from which such immigrant shall have sailed, to arrange with the Governor of any neighbouring Colony, from which there may be a convenient opportunity for the return of such immigrant by way of such Colony to such port, wholly or in part at the expense of this Colony, according to the terms in which the immigrant may be entitled to such back passage. - 60. It shall not be lawful for any immigrant, who shall have been introduced into this Colony at the public expense, to depart from the Colony without having first obtained a passport, in manner hereinbefore provided ; and every master or other person in charge of any vessel, who shall receive or harbour on board of such vessel, with the intention of carry- ing out of this Colony any such immigrant who shall not have obtained such passport, shall, on conviction thereof, forfeit and pay a sum of 20 l. for each and every such immigrant whom he shall have so received or harboured, with such intention as aforesaid; and every such penalty shall and may be sued for and recovered, for and on behalf of Her Majesty, before the police magistrate or any two justices of the peace from such master or other person being in command of any such vessel, or from the owner of such vessel. 61. Upon the departure of any vessel from this Colony, having Indian immigrants on board, returning to the port from whence they came, the immigration agent, accompanied by the Health Officer, shall proceed on board of such vessel, and, with the assistance of such Health Officer, shall ascertain, by personal inspection of the vessel and immigrants, whether the vessel is fit and suitable, in all respects, for the purpose, and whether all the arrange- ments made for the passage and treatment of the immigrants are in due conformity with law, and especially with the laws passed by the Right Honourable the Governor General of India and Council for regulating the emigration of the native inhabitants of the territories under the government of the East India Company to the West Indies; and such Immigration Agent shall personally muster such immigrants, and ascertain whether they and each of them be the parties lawfully entitled to back passage, and shall certify upon the list, to be by him furnished to the master of such vessel, the total number of immigrants embarked, together with the state and condition of such immigrants, and that they are provided with clothing suitable for the voyage. O. l 3. T T 3 62. Such Appendix, No. 8. Compensation to Indian when en- titled to back passage. Employment of interpreters. Governor in Council may make regula- tions for securing and transmitting property of de- ceased immigrants. Governorin Council may allow certain holidays. Free passage for invalids. Governor may ar- range for return passage of Indian immigrant, by way of neighbouring colony. Penalty on master of vessel receiving immigrant without passport. Inspection of vessel Sailing with immi- grants. 3 l 4 PAPERS RELATING TO THE Appendix, No. 8. Payment of health officer. Immigrant using false documents. Part of all fines, not exceeding one-half, may be paid to the informer. Payment of salaries. Adjudication of complaints under this Act. Recovery of penal- ties. Mode of recovery of penalties. Interpretation of terrns. 62. Such health officer shall be allowed, as his remuneration for services performed under this Act, the sum of 6 d. for every immigrant on board of any such vessel arriving, and the same sum for every immigrant departing, at the expense of the Colony. 63. If any immigrant shall fraudulently obtain, transfer, use, or attempt to use any false, forged, or counterfeit certificate of industrial residence, passport, ticket-of-leave, or other document referred to in this Act, or shall in any manner alter or erase any part of such document, sich immigrant shall be subject, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding 4 l., or to imprisonment, at hard labour, not exceeding 30 days. 64. If any person shall be sentenced to imprisonment for any offence against this Act, or shall fail to pay any fine imposed upon him for such ºffence, he shall be committed to the common gaol, there to remain in conformity with his sentence; and any part, not exceeding one-half of every fine imposed by this Act, may, in the discretion of the presiding magistrate or justices, be paid to the informer, and in any case where the party convicted shall not pay such fine it shall be lawful for the Governor to reward such informer, provided that such reward to be so paid by the Governor shall in no case exceed 4s. 65. All salaries of officers granted, and all expenses incurred in virtue of this Act, shall. be paid out of such funds as are raised for the purposes of immigration ; and ali monies payable by any person in virtue of any of the provisions of this Act, and which shall not be declared to be payable to any particular officer or persons, shall be payable, for the use of Her Majesty, to the public treasurer or to the magistrates or justices awarding the payment of any such money ; and all sums received by any such magistrate or justices, or any other person, and not payable over to any particular person, shall be paid over to the public treasurer under this Act, and shall be applied to immigration purposes, and the public treasurer shall render to the Committee of Public Accounts, quarterly, a statement of all receipts and payments for immigration purposes. 66. All complaints, differences, and disputes, which shall arise between employer and immigrant, respecting any matter or thing treated of in this Act, shall and may be heard and determined, except where otherwise specially provided, by the police magistrate or any two justices of the peace, and all penalties, forfeitures, and sums of money imposed or ordered to be paid by this Act, may, unless otherwise specially directed, be recovered, on summary conviction, before such magistrate or justices, and it shall be lawful for the police magistrate, sitting alone, to do any act authorised by this Act to be done by two or more justices of the peace. 67. In every case of summary conviction under this Act, where the sum forfeited or ordered to be paid shall not be paid immediately after the conviction, or within such period not exceeding ten days after conviction, as the presiding magistrates or justices shall, at the, time of conviction, appoint, it shall be lawful for the convicting magistrate or justices, where the amount of the sum forfeited or ordered to be paid shall not exceed 10 l., by warrant, under his hand and seal, or their hands and seals, to authorise and require any constable to levy the same, together with the costs and charges attending such levy, by distress and sale of the goods and chattels of the person convicted, and, in default of such distress, it shall and may be lawful for such magistrate or justices to commit such person, so convicted, to the common gaol, there to be imprisoned for any term not exceeding three calendar months, unless where a less term is hereby specially provided, or until payment of such sums so for- feited or ordered to be paid; and where the amount of the sum forfeited or ordered to be paid shall exceed 10 l., by warrant under his hand and seal, or their hands and seals, to authorise and require the provost marshal to levy the same, together with the costs and charges attending such levy, upon the goods and chattels, lands, tenements, and heredita- ments of the person so convicted, in the same manner, and under the same regulations and restrictions, as he would levy, under execution, any debt or damages recovered in the Supreme Court of Judicature, and in default of goods and chattels, lands, tenements, and hereditaments of the person so convicted, to take the body of such person so convicted, and him to imprison in the common goal, for any term not exceeding six calendar months, unless when a less term is hereby specially provided, or until payment of such sum so forfeited or ordered to be paid. 68. Throughout this Act, the words and expressions hereinafter mentioned, shall have and bear the following meanings, that is to say, the words “Her Majesty,” shall mean Her Majesty, her heirs and successors; the term immigration Agent, shall not only mean the Immigration Agent, but also any sub-agent appointed by the Governor, to act in any particular place, or on any particular occasion, in the place and stead of the Immigration Agent; the word “immigrant” shall include all immigrants, already introduced or who may hereafter be introduced into this Colony, at the expense of the British Treasury, or at the expense of this Colony, or for whose introduction, although the same may be under private contract, the Colony may hereafter pay bounty; the word “writing,” shall also mean printing; the word “servant” shall mean any person employed and duly authorised by the proprietor of any plantation to which immigrants shall be allotted; the word “contract,” and the words “written contract,” shall mean also any indenture or agreement written or printed, or partly written and partly printed; the word “indenture" shall also mean con- tract; the word “estate ’’ shall also mean plantation : the word “plantation” shall include any sugar, cocoa, coffee, arrowroot plantation, rice or cotton estate, or any farm or establish- ment WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 31.5 J ment on which any immigrant may be employed : the word “employer" shall include the proprietor or manager or other person having the direction of or the chief authority upon any such estate or plantation, or of, or upon any farm or establishment on which any immigrant shall be employed : every word importing the singular number only, shall extend and be applied to several persons or things, as well as to one person or thing; every word importing the plural number, shall extend and be applied to one person, matter, or thing, as well as to several persons, matters, or things: every word importing the masculine gender only, shall extend and be applied to a female as well as to a male: unless, in any of the cases aforesaid, it be otherwise specially provided, or there be something in the subject or context repugnant to such construction. 69. It shall be lawful for the Governor in Council, from time to time, to make rules for regulating the proportion and number of each sex of any immigrants to be introduced into this Colony under the provisions of this Act. - 70. That the Acts following be repealed : an Act passed 16th November 1838, intituled, an Act to render null and void all contracts for the performance in this Colony of any service or labour in agriculture, or in or about the manufacture of colonial produce which may be entered into in any of the other of Her Majesty's possessions in the West Indies. An Act passed the 29th day of January, 1847, intituled, an Act for promoting and encouraging the immigration of labourers into the Colony of St. Vincent, and for regu- lating contracts to be entered into with them. An Act passed the 29th day of March 1849, intituled, an Act to regulate and make pro- vision for the treatment of liberated African immigrants. An Act passed the 19th day of May 1849, intituled, an Act to alter and amend an Act, intituled, an Act to regulate and make provision for the treatment of liberated African immigrants. An Act passed the 27th day of June 1851, intituled, an Act further to alter and amend an Act, intituled, an Act to regulate and make provision for the treatment of liberated African immigrants. (A.)—SECTION 8. Immigration Agent's Certificate of Arrival. I, THE undersigned, do hereby certify that the ship Master arrived at this port from on the of , bringing immigrants above 14 years of age, between the ages of 14 and 6 years, and under 6 years of age; that I, assisted by the Health Officer of the port, have personally inspected the said vessel and immigrants, and find that the provisions of the Imperial Passengers Act for the time being, as far as the same are applicable, have been duly complied with ; and finally that the amount payable in respect of such immigrant is Dated at day of 18 A. B., Immigration Agent. (B.)—SECTIONs 15, 21, and 22. ST. VINCENT. Be it remembered, That on this day of in the year of our Lord 185 , A. B., of and C. D., of appeared before me E. F., Immigration Agent of the Colony of St. Vincent, and in my presence signed their names or marks (as the case may be) to the following contract of service:—The said A. B. agrees to hire the services of the said C. D., and the said C. D. agrees to render to the said A. B., his heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns, services, in the capacity of a for the term of years, commencing on the day of in the year 18 , and terminating on the day of in the year 18 . And it is further agreed between the said parties that the said C. D. shall be employed by the said A. B., his heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns, on plan- tation ... And it is further agreed that the said A. B., his heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns, shall pay to the said C. D., as such labourer aforesaid, the same rate of wages as is paid to the labourer not under indenture or contract, working on said estate, and that such wages shall be paid monthly. And it is further agreed that in the event of the said plantation being sold, the said C. D. shall serve the purchaser thereof, his heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns, and shall be paid wages by the said purchaser, his heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns, in conformity with this contract. A. B., C. D. The preceding contract was signed by the above-named parties in my presence on the day and year above written voluntarily, the same being, as far as I am able to judge, fully understood by them respectively. E. F., Immigration Agent, O. 13. TT 4 Appendix, No. 8. tºsºm-ºs- Governorin Council to make rules for regulating propor- tion of sexes. Repeals Acts therein mentioned. 316 PAPERS RELATING TO THE Appendix, No. 8. (C.)—SECTIONs 19 and 23. ST. VINCENT. $ THIS Indenture, made the day of in they war of our Lord 18 , between A. B., Immigration Agent in the Colony of St. Vincent, for and on behalf of C. D., a liberated (male or female) African of the age of years, and numbered recently sent to this Colony, under the authority of Her Majesty's Government, for the purpose of being located and established herein, of the one part, and E. F., of in this Colony, of the other part, witnesseth that, in virtue of the Act, in such case made and provided, and in consideration of the covenants, promises, and agreements, on the part and behalf of the said E. F., hereinafter contained, he the said A. B., as such Immi- gration Agent, has indented, placed, and bound, and by these presents doth indent, place, and bind the said C. D., the African indented, to and with E. F., of , to serve for the term of years, to be computed from the day of the date of these presents, and doth hereby, for and on behalf of the said C. D., to and with the said E. F., covenant, promise, and agree, that the said C. D. shall and will, during all and every part of the said term of years, truly and faithfully serve the said E. F. as a labourer on plantation ; and the said E. F. doth hereby, covenant, promise, and agree, to and with the said A. B., for and on behalf of the said C. D., that he, the said E. F., shall and will, until the said C. D. shall have attained the age of 15 years, find, and provide for, and allow to the said C. D. suitable and sufficient diet, clothing, tools, or imple- ments of work, lodging, and medical attendance, and such privileges, necessaries, and money wages as may, from time to time, be ordered by the Governor in Council, or be enacted touching or concerning Africans, under the age of 15 years, indented in this Colony; and shall also allow to the said C. D. during the continuation of these presents, for education and religious instruction, such one afternoon in every week as shall be appointed or assigned by the Governor of the Colony for the time being. In witness whereof he the said A. B., the Immigration Agent, for and on behalf of the said C. D., and, he the said E. F., have hereunto set their hands, the day and year first aobve written. (D.)—SECTION 26. ANNUAL List of Arrivals and Allotments of Immigrants. # g & Number g T. .5% ă Children between Children of Immigrants To what § : É # A D U L TS Six and under Six allotted, Plantation Remarks. ‘g ‘s : Fourteen Years. Years. including allotted. 3 || 5 || 3 || 3 Children. 2: | 2 || 2 || ſº & - M. | F. | Total. | M. | F. Total, M. F. |Total. | M. F. Dated at - this day of 18 A. B., Immigration Agent. N.B.—If any discrepancy occurs between the number of arrivals and those allotted, explain it in the column for remarks. (E.)—SECTION 25. Muster Roll of Plantation for the month of Description -$º , E -t, --, --, -s; +: of Name. É; ; ; ; ; #33 # # f # # # # Immigrants. Portuguese Coolie - - Chinese & African * J. F., Manager, or Overseer. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 317 No. - This is to certify that the of I mmigrants.” Name. Z (F.)—SECTION 40. - e immigrant hereinunder described has com- pleted his term of service (or has paid the amount required in commutation of his service) under the provisions of the Act intituled “an Act to aſter the Law of Contracts with regard to Immigrants, and for the Encouragement of Immigration, and for the general Itegulation *— Sex. Description. * Remarks. * (signed) A. B. (G.)—SECTION 42. QUARTERLY RETURN of Desertions from the District. Description Date of Plantation Date Date No. of Name. Sex. Inden- from which of of Return to immigrant. - ture. Deserted. Desertion. Service. **-*** *-*------- - - ... - . (H.)—SECTION 45. HALF-y EARLY Return of the entire Number of Immigrants located on Plantation in the Parish of St. Vincent. Madras Calcutta e Portu- e Coolies. Coolies. Africans. guese. Chinese. Total. M. F. Mſ. * | *. F. | M. I?. Mſ. Me F Number remaining at last return Number born, received, or return from desertion since last return To TAL - - - t Number died, departed, or dº- serted since last return - - Total on the Estate - - - SPECIFICATION of Birth. Name of Sex Name of Name of IFather’s Father's Ship Father's Infant. e Father. Mother. Number. of Import. Country. sºm-m-m- Name of Deserter. Sex, Country. No. SPECIFICATION of Deserters. Ship of Import. - Date of Desertion. - SPECIFICATION of Deaths. Name of Deceased. Sox. Country. No. Ship of Import. Date of Death. Cause of Death. 0.13. | U U Appendix, No. 8. * * * 318 PAPERS RELATING TO THE Appendix, No. 8. SPECIFICATION of Immigrants returning after Desertion. Name of ~~4. º t -- . Date of Immigrants. Sex. Country. No. Ship of Import. Date of Return. Desertion. I, - of plantation - do solemnly and sincerely declare that the above is a true and correct return of the immigrants on plantation . on the day of 18 , as required by the 45th clause of the Act intituled “an Act to alter the Law of Contracts with regard to Immigrants, and for the Encouragement of Immigration, and for the General Regulation of Immigrants.” - (signature) Appendix, No. 9. Appendix, No. 9. ST. VINCENT No. 703. (L.S.) - James Walker. AN ACT for laying an Additional Tax on Produce to provide a Fund for Immigration Purposes. Preamble. WHEREAs it is expedient to encourage and promote the immigration of labourers into this Government, and in order to provide a fund for that purpose it is deemed advisable * , e. . . . to increase the tax on exported produce: Be it enacted by the Governor, Council, and º Assembly of the Government of the Island of St. Vincent and its dependencies, that on and I * from the day after the day of the publication of this Act, and during the continuance in force of the same, there shall be raised, levied, collected, and paid to Her Majesty the Queen, Her heirs and successors, for the public uses of this Government, subject to such special appropriation thereof as hereinafter contained, and in addition to the duty im- posed by the “Export Tax Act, 1856,” a duty on the produce hereinafter mentioned and enumerated, being the growth and manufacture of this Colony, which shall be exported from this Government, at and after the rates following; that is to say,+ - s. d. On every hogshead of sugar, the produce of this Government, of 38 inch truss and upwards - º º ºgº tº- &=e tºº - 2 – On every hogshead of sugar as aforesaid, under 38 inch truss, and not less than 24 inch truss - -> a tº º - º - - 1 9 On every hogshead or cask of sugar under 34 inches, and exceeding 672 lbs, gross weight - - 4- - * * tº (º – 1 4 On every cask of sugar not exceeding 672 lbs. in gross weight, nor less than 336 lbs. gross weight - - sº tº -> tº - - – 8 On every cask, barrel, half barrel, or package of sugar under 336 lbs. gross weight - «º - tº * º - - - ~ — 4 On every puncheon or cask of rum as aforesaid, containing more than 52 imperial gallons - a- ... º-> - º tº- - 1 – On every puncheon, cask, or package of rum or other spirit as afore- said, not exceeding 52 imperial gallons º - º - - - 6 On every puncheon of molasses containing 90 gallons or upwards; on every cask or package of molasses containing less than 90 gallons - – 6 For every 200 lbs. of arrowroot, and so in like proportion for any greater or less quantity - --> - º ºre º - – – 6 On every 112 lbs. of cotton as aforesaid, and in like proportion for every fractional part of a hundredweight – -- tºº - - – 3 On every 112 lbs. of cocoa as aforesaid, and in like proportion for every fractional part of a hundredweight - - sº - — — 3 That the clauses of the That the 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th clauses of the “Export Tax { { p • • - ºr • * º o & - iº. * Act, 1856,” and the enactments, provisions, and powers therein respectively contained, shall, rated, and the powers 39 long as this Act shall continue in force, be, and the same are hereby declared to be part therein contained shall and parcel of this Act, and as though the same had been herein specially enacted and set .. **. * forth, and shall be construed together with and as forming part of this present Act, notwith- been herºin specially standing that the said “Export Tax Act, 1856,” may expire before this Act shall cease to have enacted, but the monies effect; but all taxes, fines, forfeitures, penalties, and monies recovered and paid under and º by virtue of such clauses, enactments, provisions, and powers, so far as such clauses, enact- far as sºciºlºa, ments, provisions, and powers shall be resorted to for the purposes of this Act, shall be resorted tº for the pur: Specially applied to immigration purposes, and be placed to the separate account hereinafter poses of this Act, shall qir - - *g fe applied to immigra. directed to be kept by the treasurer. \. That tion purposes. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 3 I & f * 3. That a separate account shall be kept by the treasurer of the monies raised under the authority of this Act, which are hereby specially appropriated as a fund for immigration purposes, and to be paid and applied from time to time in such manner only as shall be deciared by the Act of the Legislature of this Government. 4. This Act shall continue in force for three years from the day next after the day on which the same shall have been duly proclaimed. 5. That this Act may be cited as the “Additional Export Tax Act, 1857.” Passed the Assembly this 21st day of July, in the year of our Lord 1857. George M. Browne, Speaker. Jas. H. Brown, Clerk of the Assembly. ( signed) Passed the Council this 22d day of July 1857. * (signed) H. E. Sharpe, President. Bouverie Alleyne, Clerk of the Council. I hereby assent to this Act. 16 October 1857. (signed) Jas. Walker. Assented to by his Excellency the Officer administering the Government, this 16th day of October 1857. 2. * Bouverie Alleyne, Colonial Secretary. Marshal’s Office, St. Vincent, 16 October 1857. (signed) Proclaimed in Kingstown this day. James H. Brown, (signed) Acting Provost Marshal. Appendix, No. 10. ST. VINCENT. No. 704. (L.S. (signed) James Walker. AN ACT to appropriate a portion of the General Revenue for Immigration Purposes. WHEREAs the debt of this Colony up to the close of the past year has been paid by a sum of money raised on the special security of two Acts of the Legislature, namely, “The Export Tax Act, 1856,” and “The Income Tax Act, 1856:” And whereas it is deemed advisable to provide, for immigration purposes, a sum of money greater in amount than shall be raised by an Act of the Legislature of this Colony to be cited as “The Additional Export Tax Act, 1857;” and, under the circumstances hereinbefore mentioned, it is thought just and proper that a sum of money equal to that which shall be raised by the last-mentioned Act shall be taken out of the general revenue of this colony : Be it therefore, and it is hereby enacted, by the Council and Assembly of the Government of the Island of St. Vincent and its dependencies: 1. That the treasurer of this Colony shall, on the 1st day of January now ensuing, and at the expiration of every succeeding half year, or from time to time as may be required, withdraw from the monies raised, collected, and received by him for and on account of the general revenue of this Colony and place, and apply to a separate account, to be headed and called “The Immigration Fund Account,” a sum of money equal to the aggregate amount of the monies raised, levied, collected, and received by the said treasurer during the periods and times hereinbefore mentioned, under and by virtue of the provisions of an Act to be passed by the Legislature, and to be cited as “The Additional Export Tax Act, 1857: Provided always, that such sums so paid out of the said general revenue shall not, in amount, exceed the amount borrowed from the Colonial Bank, and applied to the payment of the public Appendix, No. 9. Separate account to be kept of the duties under this Act, and to be ap- plied to immigration purposes. Duration of the Act. Act to be cited as the “Additional Export Tax Act, 1857.” Appendix, No. 1 o. sºmº-ºs- Preamble. From the general re- venue on the 1st Janu- ary 1858, and every half year during the continuance of this Act, there is to be taken, and applied to the Im- migration Fund, a sum equal to that raised by “The Additional Ex- port Tax Act, 1856,” during the same period. debt of the Colony under the provisions of an Act of the Legislature cited as “The Loan Act, 1856;” the repayment of which loan is made a special charge on two Acts of the Legislature, namely, “The Export Tax Act, 1856,” and “The Income Tax Act, 1856.” 2. That O. l.3. U U 2 323 PAPERS RELATING TO THE The monies to be placed to the “ Im- 2. That the monies so drawn from the general revenue, and placed and applied migration Fund Account,” and be to the said separate account, to be called “The Immigration Fund Account,” *...*. Fºº shall be specially and exclusively appropriated to the purposes of an Act of the § CU. Legislature, to be cited as “The Immigration Loan Act, 1857.” Act to be cited as “The 3. That this Act may, for all purposes, be cited as “The Immigration Fund Act, 1857.’, Immigration Fund Act, g - 1857.” Passed the Assembly this 28th day of July in the year of our Lord 1857. (signed) George M. Browne, Speaker. James H. Brown, Clerk of Assembly. Passed the Board of Legislative Council this 28th day of July 1857. g - (signed) JH. E. Sharpe, - President of Council. Allan Lewis, • Acting Clerk of Council. Assented to by his Excellency the Officer administering the Government this 16th day of October 1857. (signed) Bouverie Alleyne, Colonial Socretary. Marshal’s Office, St. Vincent, 16 October 1857. Proclaimed in Kingstown this day. w (signed) James Brown, Acting Provost Marshal. Appendix, No. 1 1. - Appendix, No. 11. *gºs • * * ST. WIN CENT. No. 705. (L. S.) James Walker. AN ACT to authorise the raising of Loans of Money for Immigration Purposes, and to secure and provide for the Repayment of such Loans. Preamble. WHEREAs it is necessary to raise sums of money by loan for immigration purposes, Be it therefore enacted, by the Governor, Council, and Assembly of the Government of the island of St Vincent and its dependencies: Appointment of Com- 1. That the President of Council and the Speaker of Assembly for the time being, and the missioners for the pur- Treasurer of the said island, are hereby constituted Commissioners for the purposes of this poses of this Act. Act, with such powers as hereinafter declared. Commissioners autho- 2. That the said Commissioners shall and may, and they are hereby authorised, from and rised to effect loans for after the passing of this Act, to effect loans from time to time as may be required for immi- *P*P* gration purposes, by and on behalf of the Government of this Colony, to an extent not exceeding 7,000l., either with the Colonial Bank or any other corporation or company, person or persons willing to advance the same, on such terms as may be mutually agreed to, and as may in the judgment of the said Commissioners, be most for the advantage of this Colony; and for such purpose the said Commissioners are hereby authorised and empowered from time to time to make, sign, and execute in their capacity as Commissioners under this Act, and for and in behalf of the Government of this Colony, all or any such agreement or agreements, promissory note or notes, bill or bills of exchange, acceptance or acceptances, or other obligation or instruments in writing, as shall be required and necessary to effectuate the purposes and objects of this Act, and to effect such loans as aforesaid and for securing the repayment of the same with interest or discount thereon, at such rates as may be agreed and fixed upon. commissioner, not per- 3. That the said Commissioners shall not, by reason of their entering into or signing any sonally liable under any agreement or agreements for any loan or loans on behalf of the said Government under agreement entered intº this Act, or by reason of their signing or making any promissory note or notes, bill or bills ***** of exchange, acceptance or acceptances, or other obligations under the authority of this Act, incur any personal liability, or be liable to be sued in respect of the same ; but that the same shall be taken to be made on behalf of the said Government, and shall be binding and obligatory on the said Government, and shall be met and provided for in manner hereinafter particularly mentioned. gº 4. That WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUs. 32 I 4. That if any person shall forge or counterfeit any promissory note, bill of exchange, acceptance or other obligation, or instrument made, executed, issued, or given, under the authority of this Act, or shall present for payment, or dispose of or pass off, sell, or negotiate any such forged or counterfeit note, bill, acceptance, or other obligation or instrument, knowing the same to be forged or counterfeit, or shall forge or counterfeit the signatures of the said Commissioners, or of any or either of them, and set and affix the same to any agreement, note, bill, acceptance, obligation or instrument, authorised or purporting to be Forging note, bill, &c., felony. authorised to be entered into, or executed or given under this Act, or shall aid, assist, or abet any person in the commission of any such offence as aforesaid, every such person shall be deemed guilty of felony, and shall, on conviction, be liable to be imprisoned with hard labour, for any period not exceeding three years, and if a male, to be once, twice, or thrice publicly whipped. 5. And in order to make provision for paying off the loan or loans effected by the said Commissioners under the authority of this Act, and for securing the amount of the same Be it enacted, that all public monies to be hereafter received by the treasurer of this Colony under any Acts of the same, are hereby declared to be applicable to the repayment of the said loan or loans (subject always to any monies which may become due and payable therefrom under “The Loan Act, 1856”) if the same shall not be liquidated by and out of the special fund provided for that purpose as hereinafter mentioned; and the whole revenue of this Government is hereby declared to be charged, and it is hereby made chargeable with the payment of the said loans, with the interest or discount thereon, in preference and in priority to any other claim or demand whatsoever, save and except, and subject always to any monies which may from time to time be payable thereout under and by virtue of the said “Loan Act, 1856.” Provided always, that the funds raised, collected, and received under Acts of the said Government to be respectively cited as “The Additional Export Tax Act, 1857,” and “The Immigration Fund Act, 1857,” and any balance which shall remain of the monies raised, collected, and received by the treasurer of this Colony under . “The Income Tax Act, 1856,” and “The Export Tax Act, 1856,” after satisfying the amount payable under the provisions of the said “Loan Act, 1856,” shall in the first place be made applicable and be applied to the repayment of the loans to be effected under this Act, with the interest or discount thereon. And provided always, that if any sum of money shall be paid from and out of the general revenue as aforesaid for or towards the repayment of any loan effected under the provisions of this Act, then such sum shall be repaid from and out of the proceeds of the said “Additional Tax Act, 1857,” and “The Immigration Fund Act, 1857,” before any fresh loan shall be contracted by the Commissioners under this Act. - - Amount of loans a charge on the public revenue, subject to the provisions of “The Loan Act, 1856,” but to be paid in the first place out of “The Ad- ditional Export Tax Act, 1857,” “The Im- migration Fund Act, 1857,” and the unex- pended balance of “The Income Tax Act, 1856,” and “The Export Tax Act, 1856.” 6. That the monies raised under this Act shall be paid by the said Commissioners into the Monies to be paid into public treasury, and shall be placed by the treasurer of this Colony to a separate be called “The Immigration Fund Account.” account, to Treasury, and placed to a separate account, to be called “The Immigration Fund Account.” A− 25 { 7. That this Act may for any purposes be cited as “The Immigration Loan Act, 1857. Passed the Assembly this 28th day of July, in the year of our Lord 1857. George M. Browne, Speaker. James H Brown, Clerk of Assembly. (signed) Passed the Board of Legislative Council this 28th day of July 1857. (signed) FI. E. Sharpe, President of Council. Allan Lewis, Acting Clerk of Council. I hereby assent to this Act. (signed) Jas Walker. 16 October 1857. Assented to by his Excellency the Officer administering the Government, this 16th day of October 1857. Bouverie Alleyne, (signed) Colonial Secretary. Marshal’s Office, St. Vincent, Proclaimed in Kingstown this day. 16 October 1857. (signed) James H. Brown, Acting Provost Marshal. Short title of Act. 322 - PAPERS RELATING TO THE Appendix, No. 12. Preamble. Repeals 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 22d and 36th sections of “An Act to alter the Law of Con- tracts with regard to Immigrants, and for the Encourage- ment of Immigra- tion, and for the general Regulation of Immigrants.” The Governor may direct Immigration Agent to approve Contract. Form of indenture, Commutation for SGTV 1 Ce. Appendix, No. 12. ST. VINCENT. No. 718. (L. S.) E. Eyre, Lieutenant Governor. AN ACT to repeal certain Clauses of an Act, intituled, “An Act to alter the Law of Contracts with regard to Immigrants, and for the Encouragement of Immigration, and for the general Regulation of Immigrants,” and to make other Provision in lieu thereof, and further to amend the said Act. WHEREAS the 13th section of an Act, intituled, “An Act to alter the Law of Contracts with regard to Immigrants, and for the Encouragement of Immigration, and for the general Regulation of Immigrants,” by an oversight, sanctions, contracts with immigrants for an indefinite period, which was contrary to the intention of the Legislature; for remedy whereof, and for altering and amending the said Act in other particulars: Be it enacted, by the Governor, Council, and Assembly of the Island of St. Vincent, as follows: 1. That the said 13th clause, and also the 14th, 15th, 16th, 22d, and 36th sections of the said recited Act shall be and the same are hereby repealed; and in lieu thereof it is enacted and declared as follows (that is to say); if any labourer, not being an immigrant, in respect of whom bounty shall be claimed, arriving in this Colony from Madeira, the Azores, the Canaries, or the Cape de Verd Islands, or from any part of Europe, or of the West Indies, or of the United States of America, or of the British Provinces of North America, or from any port or place from which immigration on bounty shall have been permitted by proclamation issued under the authority of the said recited Act, except from any place mentioned in the 12th clause of the said Act, shall, before his arrival have con- tracted with any person to perform service in this Colony, such contract shall, when approved and countersigned by the Immigration Agent, and subject to such alterations as the said Agent may, with the consent of the parties, have made therein, be valid in this Colony for the full period named in such contract, not exceeding three years, provided such contract, or the same with such alterations thereto as aforesaid, be not in violation of any of the provisions of the said recited Act or this Act: and provided that, except as here- inafter mentioned, no such contract shall be so approved and countersigned, unless it shall have been signed with the names or marks of the contracting parties, and attested by some notary public, or British Consul, or by some other person approved by or acting under authority of Her Majesty’s Government, who shall declare that the parties entered into it voluntarily, and with a full understanding of its meaning, nor unless the Immigration Agent shall be satisfied that the immigration has been carried on in accordance with all existing regulations of the Imperial or Colonial Government. 2. If the Immigration Agent shall not be satisfied, or shall find the contract not to be so signed and attested as aforesaid, he shall report the same to the Governor, who may, if he shall think fit, notwithstanding such report, direct the Immigration Agent to approve and countersign such contract in manner aforesaid. 3. Every immigrant from the island of Madeira, from any of the islands of the Azores, or the Cape de Verd, or Canary Islands, or from Her Majesty’s dominions in the East Indies, or from the possessions of the East India Company, or from China, or from any part of the African continent from which immigration shall be permitted by Her Miajesty's Government, who shall not before arrival have entered into contract, to be approved as aforesaid: And every liberated African of the first class shall be indentured in the form in the Schedule annexed to the said hereinbefore recited Act, marked (B.), for a period of three years from the date of his arrival; and every such immigrant other than one from the African continent, or a liberated African, shall, at the end of the said three years, enter into a second indenture with the same or some other employer, for a further term of two years, or shall pay, in commutation thereof, the sum hereinafter in that behalf men- tioned; but every such immigrant entering into such second indenture, shall be entitled, at the expiration of one year's service under such indenture, to pay, in commutation of the remaining year's service, the sum hereinafter in that behalf mentioned. 4. Every immigrant other than one from the African continent or a liberated African who shall elect to pay a sum of money in commutation of service under indenture shall pay in commutation of two years' service the sum of 5 l. Sterling, and in commutation of one year's service the sum of 21. 10s. ; and if any such immigrant shall fail to declare to the Immigration Agent or to the police magistrate, or, if there be no police magistrate, to the presiding justice of the peace of the police district in which such immigrant may be then resident, not less than one nor more than three months before the expiration of the indenture under which he may be then serving, whether he desires to be re-indentured or indentured to some other employer for the remaining two years, or whether he will pay in commutation of service under indenture the sum of money enacted for com- mutation of service as aforesaid, or having elected to enter into a fresh indenture or to pay in commutation of such service, shall fail to be indentured or to pay the sum of money appointed for such commutation of service to the Immigration Agent - Or WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 323 or to the police magistrate of the district in which such immigrant may be then residing, at least fourteen days before the expiration of the indenture under which he may be then serving, such indenture so entered into for three years shall thereupon be deemed to be renewed in like manner as if such immigrant had applied to be re-indentured; and the Immigration Agent or such magistrate, as the case may be, shall within eight days after such election and after such payment in commutation of service as aforesaid by such immigrant, notify the employer of such immigrant of such election or payment respectively, for his guidance in that behalf. - - - . 5. Every employer to whom any immigrant shall be indentured on arrival in this Colony, as provided by the said hereinbefore recited Act or this Act, shall on or before the execution of such indenture pay to the public Treasurer one half the bounty or passage-money which shall be due or shall have been paid in respect of such immigrant, and if at the expiration of the third year of contract of any immigrant, or of indenture of any immigrant, under the Form (B) to the said recited Act annexed, such immigrant, whether such immigrant be imported at the public expense or under private contract, according to the provision of the fourth clause of the said recited Act, shall not at the expiration of the third year of his service, under contract or indenture as aforesaid, re-indent himself to his said or some other employer for two years’ further service, but shall pay the sum of money hereinbefore in that behalf mentioned and provided for commutation of such two years' service, then and in such case such first employer shall be entitled to demand from the Treasurer of this Colony and shall receive out of the Immigration Fund a sum of money equal to one-fifth of the aforesaid bounty or passage-money of such immigrant, and if such immigrant shall re-indent himself for the further period of two years, or continue in the service of his said employer beyond the period of three years under his said first indenture or contract, but at the expiration of his fourth year of service or of the first year under the second indenture, shall pay the sum of money hereinbefore enacted for commutation of his fifth year of service under indenture, then and in such case such employer shall be entitled to demand from the said Treasurer and shall receive out of the said Immigration Fund a sum of money equal to one-tenth of the aforesaid bounty or passage-money of such immigrant: provided always, if such immi- grant shall, at the expiration of his three years' service, re-indent himself to some other employer than his first employer, instead of paying the commutation money, or re-indenting himself to his first employer, such first employer shall be entitled to receive the same sum of money from the Treasurer as hereinbefore provided in case such immigrant had com- muted his further term of service, and the person to whom such immigrant shall indent himself for the two remaining years shall, before the indenture be approved or counter- signed, pay a like sum of money into the public treasury for the purposes of the Immi- gration Fund, and no such second indenture shall be deemed valid unless such sum of money be so paid, and such payment shall be indorsed on the indenture; and provided also, if such immigrant shall at the expiration of the first year of his second indenture pay the sum of money hereinbefore in that behalf mentioned as commutation for his last year of service, the person to whom he shall be then under indenture shall be entitled to receive from the Treasurer the said sum of money, equal to one-tenth of the said bounty. 6. If it shall be established before any two justices of the peace, on complaint preferred by any indentured immigrant, that such immigrant is not provided by his employer with sufficient work to enable him to earn a just amount of wages in terms of his contract, such justices shall declare and adjudge the contract or indenture of such immigrant to be thereby cancelled, and thereupon it shall be lawful for the Governor to cause such immigrant to be indentured to some other employer, who shall be required to pay such sums as may be the due proportion of the bounty or passage-money for the unexpired period of the term of service transferred to him, the original employer and his estate remaining liable, however, for such sum or sums as may be due for the expired term or proportion of the whole period of service, as expressed in the original contract or indenture. 7. And whereas by an Act intituled, “An Act to continue in force two several Acts of the Island of St. Vincent, intituled respectively, “An Act for regulating Rights of Masters and Servants, and for the better enforcement of Contracts, and, “An Act for promoting and encouraging the Immigration of Labourers into the Colony of St. Vincent, and for regulating Contracts to be entered into with them,’” made and passed in the year 1852, and which was permanent, the said recited Acts were made perpetual; Be it therefore enacted that so much of the said lastly recited Act as continues in force, and makes perpetual the said Act intituled, “An Act for promoting and encouraging the Immigration of Labourers into the Colony of St. Vincent, and for regulating Contracts to be entered into with them ’’ shall be, and the same is, hereby repealed : 8. And whereas the provisions of the Act of the said island, intituled, “An Act for regulating Rights of Masters and Servants, and for the better enforcement of Contracts,” are in many respects at variance with the provisions of “The Immigration Act, 1857,” but it is intended that both should remain in full force and operation, be it therefore enacted that nothing in the said “Immigration Act, 1857,” shall be construed to work a repeal of any of the provisions of the said firstly-mentioned Act, but that all and every the several enactments and provisions of the said Act for regulating rights of masters and servants, and for the better enforcement of contracts, shall be and remain in full force, and be and remain applicable to contracts between masters and servants, such servants not bein immigrants within the meaning of the said “Immigration Act, 1857,” and that the several O. 13. U U 4 enactments Appendix, No. 12. Bounty to be paid by employer of immigrants. If after the first time of service, immigrant re-indents himself to a new employer, the orginal employer to receive compensation from the Treasurer, the new employer paying a like sum into the Treasury to the Immi- gration Fund. If immigrant pay com- mutation after his first term of service, his em- ployer shall receive from the Treasurer a sum equal to one-tenth of bounty. Employer failing to provide employ- Iment. Repeals so much of Act of 1852, as makes permanent “The Immigration Act, 1847.” “Immigration Act, 1857,” not to act as repeal of “Master and Servants Act, 1839.” Provisions of “Master and Ser- vants Act, 1839,” to remain appli- cable to servants not being immi- grants. 324 PAPERS RELATING TO THE provisions of “Immigration Act, 1857,” enactments and provisions of the said “Immigration Act, 1857,” and this to be applicable to immigrants only. present Act, shall be exclusively applicable to immigrants and their employers. Short titles of Im- 9. That the said hereinbefore recited Act, intituled, “An Act to alter the Law of migration Acts. Contracts with regard to Immigrants, and for the Encouragement of Immigration, and for the general Regulation of Immigrants,” shall be cited as “The Immigration Act, 1857,” and this present Act shall be cited as “The Amended Immigration Act, 1858.” • Provisions of a ſm- 10. That all and every the provisions of “The Immigration Act, 1857,” except such as migration Act, are hereby repealed, shall and are hereby declared to be applicable to this present Act, and 1857," except such all proceedings under the same; and the provisions of this present Act shall, and the same *... are hereby declared to be, applicable to the said “Immigration Act,1857,” and to all .*** proceedings under the same, and the said “Immigration Act, 1857° and this present Act present Act. 2 shall be read and construed as one Act. * Passed the House of Assembly the 8th day of September 1858. (signed) John H. Hazell, - Speaker (pro tem.). J. Hamilton Hazell, Acting Clerk of Assembly. Passed the Council this 7th day of October, in the year 1858. (signed) H. E. Sharpe, President of Council. Bouverie Alleyne, Clerk of Council, I hereby assent to this Act. - 22 October 1858. - (signed) E. Eyre. Assented to by his Excellency the Lieutenant Governor this 22d day of October 1858. (signed) Bouverie Alleyne, Colonial Secretary. Marshal's Office, 22 October 1858. Duly proclaimed in Kingstown this day. (signed) A. P. Hobson, Acting Provost Marshal. ST. VINCENT. THESE are to certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of an Act intituled, “An Act to repeal certain Clauses of an Act intituled, “An Act to alter the Law of Contracts with regard to Immigrants, and for the Encouragement of Immigration, and for the general Regulation of Immigrants,’ and to make other Provisions in lieu thereof, and further to amend the said Act,” which Act passed the Council and Assembly, was assented to by his Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, and proclaimed in Kingstown as therein stated. > Given under my hand at the Secretary’s office, this 6th day of November 1858. (signed) Bouverie Alleyne, Colonial Secretary. Appendix, No. 13. * Appendix, No. 13. *sºmmºns (No. 442.) ST. CHRISTOPHER. No. 737. (L. S.) Piercules G. R. Robinson. AN ACT to remove Doubts as to the Rights of “Liberated Africans,” in the Islands of St. Christopher and Anguilla, and to Amend the Laws relating to Aliens.—Dated 3 February 1857. - - Treamble. WHEREAS doubts have been entertained whether Africans who have been liberated, or taken and received under the protection of the Crown, under the provisions of the Acts for the abolition and suppression of the slave trade domiciled in the islands of St. Christopher and Anguilla, are British subjects: And whereas it is expedient that the laws now in force affecting aliens generally should be amended, and that aliens should have and enjoy within the said islands of St. Christopher and Anguilla, the rights and capacities of British subjects, WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 325 subjects, except as hereinafter excepted: Be it therefore enacted by the Officer adminis- tering the Government of Her Majesty's islands of St. Christopher and Anguilla, and the Council and Assembly of the same: 1. That all liberated Africans domiciled or resident, or who hereafter may be domiciled or resident in either of the said islands of St. Christopher or Anguilla shall be deemed to be and to have been for all purposes as from the date of their being brought into or of their arrival in either of the said islands, natural-born subjects of Her Majesty, and to be and to have been capable of taking, holding, conveying, devising, and transmitting any estate, real or personal, within either of the said islands. 2. For the purposes of this Act, the words “liberated African,” shall mean and include all persons dealt with or detained as slaves, who heretofore have been or hereafter may be seized or taken under any of the Acts for the abolition or suppression of the slave trade, by Her Majesty's ships of war, or otherwise, and liberated, or delivered to the officers appointed to protect, receive, or provide for such persons, and all other persons who, as having been dealt with, carried, or kept or detained as slaves, may have been taken and liberated, or received, protected, or provided for under any of the said Acts. 3. Provided always, that nothing in this Act shall in anywise prejudice or interfere with any of the provisions in relation to such liberated Africans as aforesaid, of the laws in force for the abolition or suppression of the slave trade. the Slave Trade in Africans. 4. And be it further enacted, that every person now born, or hereafter to be born, out of Her Majesty's dominions, of a mother being a natural- born subject of Her Majesty, shall be capable of taking to him, his heirs, executors, or administrators, any estate, real or personal, by devise or purchase, or inheritance of succession. 5. That from and after the passing of this Act, every alien, being the subject of a friendly State shall and may take and hold by purchase, gift, bequest, representation or otherwise, to him, his heirs, executors, or administrators, according to the respective nature or quality of the property, any estate, real or personal, as fully and effectually to all intents and purposes, and with the same rights, remedies, exemptions, privileges, and capacities, as if he were a natural-born subject of Her Majesty, except that such alien shall not be thereby capable of becoming a Member of the Council or of the Assembly of these islands, nor of voting at any election of Members to serve in the Assembly of these islands. 6. That any woman, married or who shall be married to a natural-born subject or person naturalised, shall be deemed and taken to be herself naturalised, and have all the rights and privileges of a natural-born subject. 7. Provided always, and be it enacted, that nothing in this Act contained shall prejudice or be construed to prejudice any right or interest, in law or in equity, whether vested or contingent under any will, deed, or settlement, executed by any natural-born British subject before the passing of this Act, or under any descent or representation form, or under any such natural-born subject who shall have died before the passing of this Act. 8. That nothing herein contained shall be construed so as to take away or diminish any right, privileges, or capacity, heretofore lawfully possessed by or belonging to aliens residing in these islands, so far as relates to the possession or enjoyment of any real or personal property, but that all such rights shall continue to be enjoyed by such aliens in as full and ample a manner as such rights were enjoyed before the passing of this Act. 9. And be it enacted that this Act may be amended or repealed by any Act to be passed in the present Session. 10. This Act shall have no ſorce or operation until the same shall have been ratified and confirmed by Her Majesty, and such ratification and confirmation shall have been duly published. (signed) Thomas Turner, Speaker. Passed the House of Assembly this 16th day of October, A. D. 1857. (signed) Jos. K. Wattley, Clk. Assembly. Passed the Board of Council this 6th day of December, A. D. 1857. (signed) T. P. Berridge, Clk, Council. Dated at St. Christopher this 3d day of February, in the year of our Lord 1857. (signed) Hercules G. R. Robinson. O. 13. X x Appendix, No. 13. All domiciled or resi- dent Liberated Africans to be deemed to be natural-born subjects of Her Majesty, and to be capable of holding and conveying any v estate, real or personal. Interpretation of the words “Liberated Africans.’’ This Act not to interfere with the provisions of the laws in force for the abolition, &c. of relation to Liberated Every person born out of Her Majesty's dominions of a mother being a natural-born subject capable of taking any estate, real or personal, by descent or purchase. Alien friend may hold property, real or per- sonal, with the same rights and privileges as if he were a natural- born subject ; but shall not be capable of be- coming a Member of either House of Legis- lature, nor of voting at any election of Mem- bers of the Assembly. Any woman married to a natural-born subject, or person naturalised, shall be deemed to be herself naturalised. These provisions not to prejudice any right or interest at law or in equity, whether vested or contingent, which shall have accrued be- fore the passing of this Ct. Nor to take away or diminish any right or privilege heretofore enjoyed by a resident alien, so far as relates to the possession or en- joyment of any real or personal property. This Act may be amended. Suspending clause. 326 PAPERS RELATING TO THE Appendix, No. 14. Appendix, No. 14. (No. 444.) ST. CHRISTOPHER: No. 739. (L. S.) * . . - Hercules G. R. Robinson. # . . . . . AN ACT to alter and amend an Act intitilled, “An Act to provide Medical Attendance for the Infant Children of the Labouring Population.”—Dated 9 July 1857. Preamble. WHEREAS it is expedient to alter and amend an Act, No. 713, intituled, “An Act to provide Medical Attendance for the Infant Children of the Labouring Population,” and to continue in force for a longer period the said Act so altered and amended: We therefore, your Majesty’s dutiful and loyal subjects, the Officer administering the Government of the islands of St. Christopher and Anguilla, and the Council and Assembly of the same, do pray your Most Excellent Majesty that it may be enacted, and be it and it is hereby enacted: Fourth clause of 1. That the words “in the form hereinafter set forth, shall be added to the 4th clause Act, No. 713, of the said recited Act, immediately following the word “treatment,” and that the 5th amended. Fifth clause repealed. Additional duties of 2. That in addition to the duties specified in the said Act, it shall be the duty of each of medical officers. the said medical officers, on the order of any minister of religion or justice of the peace, to attend, and furnish the necessary aid and medicines to any poor and destitute woman in his district who may be suffering in travail or childbirth. . - clause of the said recited Act be and the same is hereby repealed. Salaries of medical 3. That each of the said medical officers appointed to the several districts of the island be officers. . allowed the sum of 120l. per annum, payable quarterly. g Duration of Act, 4. That the said Act, altered and amended as hereinbefore mentioned, shall continue and No. # 88 be in full force and virtue for and during the term of three years from the passing of this 8Jºe]] (190. Act, and further, until the expiration of the then sitting House of Assembly, anything in the said Act to the contrary notwithstanding. SCHEDULE. RETURN of the Cases treated by the Medical Officers in District *. , for the Quarter ending 185 Dates Names Age A. t Disease, of of Persons * O sºn * | Residence. or Cause of Result of Case. Remarks. Attendance. Attended. of Child. clien * Treatment. Thos. Turner, Speaker. Passed the House of Assembly this 4th day of June, A. D. 1857. (signed) Jos. K. Wattley, Clk. Assembly. Passed the Board of Council this 18th day of June, A. D. 1857. (signed) T. P. Berridge, - lk. Council. Dated at St. Christopher this 9th day of July, in the year of our Lord 1857. Hercules G. R. Robinson, Appendix, No 15. (No. 453.) – ST. C. H. R. IS TO PH E R. *- L. S.) . - Hercules G. R. Robinson. AN ACT to authorise the Governor in Council from time to time to declare, by Pro- clamation, the Ports or Places from whence Immigrants may be obtained under the Laws now in force in this Colony.—[Dated 3 May 1858.] WHEREAs by an Act, intituled, “An Act to encourage the Immigration of Agricultural Labourers, and for such purpose to grant an aid to Her Majesty by a tax upon Exports,” Appendix, No. 15. -ºssºsº. Preamble. and also by a certain other Act, intituled, “An Act further to encourage the Immigration of Agricultural Labourers,” certain ports, islands, and places are named as being places from which immigrants may be obtained and bounty paid under the provisions of the said recited Acts: And whereas it is expedient that the Governor in Council should be autho- rised from time to time, by proclamation, to declare from what other places immigrants under the provisions of the said Acts may be obtained in addition to those named in the said Acts: Be it therefore enacted, 1. That in addition to the places mentioned in the said recited Acts, it may from time to time be lawful for the Governor in Council to declare, by proclamation, from what other port or places immigration under indenture, according to the provisions of the above- recited Acts, for the encouragement of the immigration of agricultural labourers, shall be permitted to this island, at the public charge ; and such ports or places so from time to time proclaimed shall, to all intents and purposes, be taken and considered as if the same had been named or mentioned in either of the said Acts respectively. 2. That the word “ Governor” shall be construed to mean the Officer for the time being administering the Government of St. Christopher. (signed Thomas Turner, Speaker. Passed the Board of Council this 29th October 1857. (signed) T. P. Berridge, # * Clk. Council. Passed the House of Assembly this 21st January 1858. (signed) Jos. K. Wattley, Clk. Assembly. Dated at St. Christopher, this 3d day of May in the year of our Lord 1858, and in the 21st year of Her Majesty's reign. - (signed) Hercules G. R. Robinson. Appendix, No. 16. oRDINANCE - and Consent of the Council of Government thereof. L. S.) J. M. Higginson. AN ORDINANCE to amend the Laws concerning Quarantine.-ſ3th February 1857.] WHEREAs it is expedient to amend the Laws concerning Quarantine; be it therefore enacted by his Excellency the Governor in Council as follows:– 1. Articles I to 6 and 12 to 23 inclusive, and art. 44 of Ordinance No. 38, of 1844, and the Proclamations dated 4th September 1852, and 25th April and 13th June 1856, are hereby repealed; and the other articles of the said Ordinance, as well as the Ordinance No. 37, of 1851, are also hereby repealed in so far as they may be inconsistent with the provisions hereof. - 2. There shall be set apart and appropriated for the Island of Mauritius two permanent quarantine stations, one of which shall be at Flat Island, and shall, except as hereinafter rovided, be appropriated to persons undergoing quarantine for cholera, and the other of which shall be on Cannonier's Point on the Island of Mauritius, and shall be used for persons undergoing quarantine for any disease or diseases except cholera. No. 3 of 1857, Enacted by the Governor of Mauritius with the Advice - Governor in Council may, by proclama- tion, declare what other ports or places immigrants may COIſ) C. The word “Gover- hor ” to mean the Officer for the tim Administering the Government. Appendix, No. 16. Repeal of former Ordinances and Proclamations. O. : 3. X X 2 Permanent quaran- tine stations ap- pointed. 3. The 328 PAPERS RELATING TO THE Boundary of qua- rantine station at Flat Island. Boundary of station g at Cannoniers' Point. Neutral ground at Cannoniers' Point. Boundary of tempo- rary station at roadstead. Governor may appoint other qua- rantine station. Governor may appro- priate temporarily quarantine station at Flat Island for other diseases besides cholera. Surgeon Superin- tendent attached to each quarantine station. Vessel in quarantine in roadstead to be under orders of harbour master or other officer. Signal to be made that station is in quarantine. Signal to be made that vessel in road- stead is in quaran- time. When quarantine signal displayed, approach to be only in manner specified. 3. The quarantine station at Flat Island shall embrace the whole of that island, with the sea surrounding it to the distance of 200 yards from the shore at low water; and whenever the said station is in quarantine, such quarantine shall extend to Gabriel Island with the sea surrounding it to the said distance, and the sea between the said two islands. 4. The quarantine station at Cannoniers' Point shall include the portion of ground bounded as follows: on the north-east and south-west by a double line of stockade, on the north-west and south-west by the sea, together with the sea surrounding the said piece of ground to the distance of 200 yards from the shore at low water. 5. There shall also be at Cannoniers' Point a portion of ground extending 200 yards on the landward side of the stockade before mentioned, which shall be termed the neutral ground attached to the Lazaret, and shall be used for the purposes set forth in this Ordi- ‘mance, and in any Regulations to be made in virtue thereof. Such portion of ground shall be marked off on the landward side in such manner as the Governor shall determine and publish by proclamation. - 6. Whenever it shall be necessary for any vessel or vessels to perform quarantine at the roadstead of Port Louis, in manner hereinafter provided, such vessel or vessels, and the sea surrounding them respectively to the distance of 200 yards, shall be held to be a quarantine station for the whole time during which such vessel or vessels may be in quarantine in the said roadstead. . - 7. It shall be in the power of the Governor in Executive Council, whenever he shall think necessary, to set apart and appropriate, either temporarily or permanently, as a quarantine station or stations, any portion or portions of land upon the sea coast of Mau- ritius or its dependencies, and the sea surrounding or adjoining the same to such distance as he may determine, together with such buildings and outhouses as shall be required for the said purpose, and also to appoint such persons as he may deem proper to the charge of such quarantine station or stations, and to declare that the same shall be subject to all or any of the provisions of this Ordinance, and to all or any regulations which may be made in virtue thereof: provided that no part of the mainland of Mauritius shall at any time be so appropriated as a quarantine station for cholera, and also provided that the exercise of the said powers shall be published by proclamation in the Government Gazette. 8. It shall be in the power of the Governor, by proclamation, to appropriate, for such time as he shall appoint, the quarantine station at Flat Island for the performance of qua- rantine for any other disease besides cholera : provided that such quarantine shall not be performed at such station while the same is used for quarantine for cholera. 9. There shall be attached to each of the permanent quarantine stations before specified a Surgeon Superintendent, who, under the direction of the Chief Medical Officer of Mauritius, shall (with the exception after provided) have the sole Superintendence of all the persons forming the quarantine establishment to which he is attached, and of all the persons who may be in quarantine there, all of whom are hereby bound to obey all lawful orders issued by such Surgeon Superintendent; but provided that he shall have no authority over any of the persons forming the military establishment at such lazaret, and that whenever he shall consider it necessary that any orders should be conveyed to any of such persons, he shall communicate with the officer in command of such military establishment, who shall act thereupon as he may deem proper. - 10. Any vessel performing quarantine in the roadstead of Port Louis, shall, during the whole continuance thereof, be under the direction of the harbour master, or other officer to be appointed by the Governor to that duty, and all persons on board of such vessel shall be bound to obey all lawful orders issued by the harbour master or said other officer, so long as such quarantine continues. 11. Whenever either of the permanent quarantine stations or any place to be appropriated for a quarantine station as hereinbefore provided, shall be in quarantine, the same shall be notified by two or more yellow flags, hoisted at conspicuous places in such quarantine station, and which flags shall be kept constantly flying during such quarantine. And the display of such flags shall be deemed sufficient notice to all persons that such station is in Quarantine. 12. Whenever any vessel shall be ordered to perform quarantine in the roadstead of Port Louis, the master shall cause a yellow flag, (which, if required, shall be furnished by the harbour master), to be kept hoisted at the fore the whole time during which such qua- rantine shall continue, and the display of such flag shall be deemed sufficient notice that such vessel, and the sea surrounding the same to the distance of 200 yards, is in quarantine. 13. Whenever the quarantine station at Flat Island or any vessel performing quarantine in the roadstead of Port Louis, shall display the signals respectively before specified, they shall not be approached except by boats displaying a yellow flag, under the orders of the harbour master, or of such other officer as may be appointed by the Governor as before provided. . . - Whenever the quarantine station at Cannoniers' Point shall display the signal before provided, it shall not be approached by sea except in one of the modes thus specified; and any persons wishing to convey stores, letters or other documents, or to approach the said quarantine WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 329 quarantine station from the landward, shall be bound to remain at the landward side of the neutral ground adjacent thereto. 14. Any person approaching's ther of the quarantine stations, or any vessel in the road- stead of Port Louis when under quarantine, respectively, in breach of these rules, and not withdrawing when ordered by the military or police on duty at the time, shall be dealt with in the manner hereinafter provided regarding persons attempting to escape from quarantine, and shall be subject to the same pains and penalties as such persons. 15. No person who shall have been subjected to quarantine at either of the permanent quarantine stations shall, on any pretence whatsoever, leave such station until he shall have been admitted to pratique by the Surgeon Superintendent. And no person who shall be on board any vessel when ordered to perform quarantine in the roadstead of Port Louis, shall, on any pretence whatsoever, leave such vessel during such quarantine. Any person who shall transgress either of these rules with intention of escaping from quarantine shall be brought back by force, and, if necessary to prevent his escape, may be fired on. Such person shall also be subject to a fine not exceeding 40l. sterling, and to imprison- ment for a term not exceeding six months, and in aggravated cases these penalties may be accumulated. 16. Upon the quarantine signal being hoisted in any vessel, and so long as the same shall remain, all communication between the vessel and the shore respectively, and all communi- cation between the vessel and any other vessels or boats in any harbour or roadstead of Mauritius, shall be prohibited, and any person who shall quit such vessel and shall communicate with any individual whatever, out of the same, and every person who from the shore or elsewhere aforesaid shall communicate with such vessel, as well as all persons who shall have aided or facilitated any such communication, shall be liable to the penalties set forth in the preceding article. But, excepting from these prohibitions and penalties all communications made by means of boats in terms of this Ordinance, and in virtue of any order issuing from the harbour master or other officer appointed by the Go- vernor as aforesaid. 17. Whoever shall have communicated with a vessel under quarantine, whether such communication shall have taken place before or after the order for quarantine shall have been given, and whoever shall have communicated with any person or place under quarantine shall be bound to remain in or return to such vessel or place, or to the vessel or place in which such person may have been ordered to perform quarantine, as the case may be, and to remain in such vessel or place respectively during the whole period of the quarantine. In case of refusal or resistance, the person offending may, upon an order from any one of the judges of the Supreme Court or from any district magistrate, be arrested and brought back: provided that if such communication shall have been witnessed by any member of the police force attached to the quarantine station, or on duty at the place or vessel where it occurred, the party offending may immediately be apprehended by such person, or by any other member of such force, without warrant. 18. In case any person through ignorance, stress of weather or other accident, shall land upon any part of either of the permanent quarantine stations when in quarantine, or shall go on board any vessel undergoing quarantine, such person shall be detained in quarantine for such period as shall be appointed by the Surgeon Superintendent of such station, or Health Officer, as the case may be. 19. All persons belonging to the pilot's boat and to that of the Health Officer or Surgeon Superintendent, respectively, who shall have been on board of the vessel either before or at the time when the quarantine flag was hoisted, shall be bound to remain there or return thither, as the case may be, under the penalties set forth in Article 15 hereof. The Health {}fficer, or Surgeon Superintendent, pilot, and such of the crews of their boats as may have been taken on board by the master to assist in the service of the vessel, shall be entitled to a proportionate indemnity, for which the master and owners of the vessel shall be hold jointly and severally responsible, and which, where the parties shall not come to an amicable understanding regarding it, shall be fixed by the district court, summarily and without appeal. 20. No vessel arriving at Mauritius shall, under a penalty not exceeding 200l., to be paid by the master or owners, enter any harbour thereof until she shall have been admitted to pratique in terms of this Ordinance and relative proclamations; and no person shall, under penalty of a fine not exceeding 50l., or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months, leave such vessel previous to such pratique, except in order to go into quarantine, as herein provided. 21. On the arrival of any vessel at Mauritius, no persons whatever, except authorised pilots, and, in the case hereinafter specified, the Health Officer of Port Louis, shall be allowed to go within 100 yards of such vessel until the pilot shall have brought her into harbour; and in no case whatever shall any person, other than the pilot and Health Officer and crews of their respective boats, come into actual contact with the vessel until she shall have been admitted to pratique. Any person transgressing either of these regulations shall be liable to a fine not exceeding 40l., or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two months., . In aggravated cases these penalties may be inflicted cumulatively, and the boat or boats which may have been used for such unlawful purpose may be confiscated. O. 13, X X 3 22. The Appendix, No. 16. Persons improperly approaching to be treated as those at- tempting to escape from quarantine. No person to leave quarantine till its termination. Communication with vessel in qua- rantine prohibited under penaities. Persons communi- cating with vessel or place in quaran- time to go into qua- Talltine. Persons acciden- tally encroaching to go into quaran- tine. Persons in Health Officer's or pilot's boats to go into quarantine in cer– tain cases and ob- tain indemnity. Pratique necessary before vessel enters harbour. Communication with vessel which has not obtained pratique prohibited under penalties. Rules to be deliyer- . ed by pilot on vessel arriving, under penalties. Rules to be observ- ed by Health Officer on approaching Vessel. f Health officer may go on board in cer- tain cases without waiting for pilot. Signal to be made that vessel is free from quarantine. Pilot in certain cases may bring vessel to anchor before pratique obtained, but com- munication forbid- den until pratique. Temporary quaran- tine to be ordered ; Governor may order it to be continued. Continued quaran- time to be performed in manner specified. 22. The pilotshall approach the vessel to windward withinspeaking distance, and shall not go alongside or aboard unless he shall believe that the vessel is free from infectious or con- tagious disease. As soon as convenient after his arrival alongside or going on board, he shall deliver to the master or other officer in command of the vessel a copy of this Qrdinance and of all regulations made in virtue of the powers herein contained; and he shall put to the master or other officer in command the questions contained in a printed form conformably to the schedule annexed hereto, with copies of which form every pilot shall be bound to pro- vide himself at the port office; and the master or other officer aforesaid shall without delay write upon the said form the answers to the said questions, and shall return the same so completed to the pilot. - ities shall be liable to a fine not Any pilot omitting or dispensing with these formal exceeding 200l., or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding four months. 23. The Health Officer (who shall be accompanied by a port officer) shall approach the vessel on the windward side and within speaking distance; he shall go on board, if he thinks himself warranted to do so from the information obtained by him from the pilot, master, or any person on board; and as soon as possible after arriving on board he shall require and obtain from the pilot the answers furnished by the master or other officer in command, as above provided. * 24. If the Health Officer shall arrive alongside of a vessel before the arrival of a pilot on board, he may require from the master or other officer in command all the necessary infor- mation, and upon being satisfied of the Sanitary condition of the vessel and persons thereia, he may go on board without waiting for the arrival of the pilot. 25. If the Health Officer shall determine that the vessel does not require to perform qua- rantine, he shall admit her immediately to pratique, and the pilot may bring her to anchor in the harbour; and whenever pratique shall have been granted, communication with the vessel shall be permitted, and the same shall be announced by means of a red flag hoisted at the fore, which flag shall, if required, be furnished by the port officer for that purpose. - 26. Whenever the Health Officer, either from the violence of the weather or from any other circumstance of “force majeure,” shall be prevented from going alongside of the vessel, and when the answers of the master or other officer in command as above provided shall satisfy the pilot that there is no contagious or infectious disease on board, the pilot may, upon his own responsibility, bring the vessel to anchor in the harbour; but commu- nication with such vessel shall not be allowed until she shall have been admitted to pratique by the Health Officer, as hereinbefore provided. - - 2. \, - 27. If the master or other officer in command shall, in answer to the questions herein- before provided, report to the pilot, or if the Health Officer shall, after investigation, believe that a contagious or infectious disease exists on board, or existed on board within 21 days previously, or that the vessel did within the said period communicate (otherwise than by signal) with any vessel or place where there was any such disease, the pilot, or, if the pilot is not on board, the Health Officer, shall immediately cause a yellow flag to be hoisted at the fore, and the vessel shall thereupon be put in quarantine temporarily at the roadstead of Port Louis, and the Health Officer shall immediately apprise the Colonial Secretary and the Chief Medical Officer of the causes which led to the imposition of such temporary quarantine, in order that the Governor may, as speedily as possible, determine as to con- tinuing the quarantine in respect of the vessel, the individuals on board, or the effects on board, and may direct any precautionary measures which he may deem necessary. 28. When the Governor shall direct the continuance of such quarantine, it shall be per- formed in manner following; that is to say, 1st. If the vessel contains passengers or immigrants, she shall (except in the case after provided) proceed immediately to the quarantine station at Flat Island, if the disease with which she is supposed to be infected be cholera, and to the quarantine at Cannoniers' Point if it be any other disease. $. 2d. In either case, the vessel shall proceed to the anchorage at the quarantine station, and such of her passengers and crew as are ill of the disease with which she is supposed to be infected, and all her immigrants, shall then be landed and placed in the quarantine station. - 3d. After such landing, the vessel shall (weather permitting) be ordered by the Surgeon Superintendent to proceed, and shall proceed, to the roadstead of Port Louis, where she shall perform quarantine at anchor for the same time as shall be fixed for the quarantine of the passengers, immigrants, or crew landed from her at the quarantine station; and in the event of any fresh case of infectious disease occurring during such time, the vessel shall be dealt with as the circumstances require, with reference to the provisions of this Ordinance, regarding the landing of the diseased persons and the quarantine of the vessel respectively; and after the termination of her quarantine the vessel shall again be inspected by the Health Officer, with the view of being admitted to pratique or ordered to continue quarantine, as the case may be. 4th Such vessels not carrying passengers or immigrants as require to perform quarantine, shall land any of their crew who may be affected with contagious or infectious disease; and the WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 337 the vessel shall perform quarantine at the roadstead of Port Louis, for such periods respectively as shall be fixed by the Governor, and published in regulations framed in virtue of the powers herein contained. . . . . . - - 5th. In case any vessel shall be unable to proceed to the quarantine station to which she may have been ordered, or in case any such vessel shall have been unable to land her pas- sengers or immigrants at such quarantine station (provided that in either case such inability shall have arisen from stress of weather or other “ force majeure”), it shall be lawful for such vessel to anchor and remain in the roadstead of Port Louis for such limited time as circumstances may render necessary. • . . . . 29. Every vessel performing quarantine in the roadstead of Port Louis shall, during the whole continuance of such quarantine, display a yellow flag at the fore, and shall, imme- diately on such quarantine being commenced, be guarded by two or more sanitary guards, who shall remain on board, and by one or more guard boats to be furnished by the har- bour-master or other officer appointed by the Governor as before provided; and every such vessel shall take up the position appointed for her by the harbour-master or other officer aforesaid, and shall, on his requisition, remove to any other part of the said anchorage which he may appoint; and every vessel which shall be in such quarantine in consequence of inability to proceed to the proper quarantine station, or to land her immigrants or pas- sengers there, shall leave the said anchorage and proceed to the said station whenever the harbour-master or other officer aforesaid shall order the same to be done. 30. All vessels coming to Mauritius with immigrants shall call on their way at the quarantine station at Flat Island, with a view to examination and quarantine, if such shall be required. 31. The Surgeon Superintendent at the said quarantine station shall approach all such vessels. He shall approach to leeward of the vessel when the station is in quarantine, otherwise he shall approach to windward; and in either case he shall lay off at speaking distance from the vessel, with which he shall not come into actual contact until he shall have learned that a necessity exists for placing such vessel in quarantine. 32. If it shall be the opinion of such Surgeon Superintendent that cholera exists on board the vessel, or that it existed therein within 21 days previous to her arrival at the quarantine station, or that the vessel did, within the said period, communicate otherwise than by signal with a vessel or place where such disease existed, he shall order such vessel to come to anchor at the usual spot, for the purpose of landing her immigrants and such of her pas- sengers and crew as may be ill of cholera at the time; and the said immigrants, passengers, and crew shall perform quarantine temporarily at the quarantine station, and the vessel, if bound to Mauritius, shall perform quarantine temporarily at the roadstead of Port Louis upon the order of the Surgeon Superintendent, who shall, as soon as possible, apprise the Colonial Secretary and the Chief Medical Officer thereof, in order that the Governor may determine as to continuing the quarantine in the manner hereinbefore provided regarding vessels arriving at the said roadstead. - 33. If such Surgeon Superintendent shall be satisfied that a necessity does not exist for placing the vessel in quarantine, he shall grant permission to proceed to and cast anchor at the roadstead of Port Louis, and on arrival there the vessel shall be visited by the Health Officer, who shall examine whether she may be admitted to pratique or not, and act there- upon as in regard to other vessels arriving at the said roadstead, it being provided that pratique shall not be granted to any vessel by the said Surgeon Superintendent, but only by the Health Officer. 34. When the state of the weather or surf at Flat Island is such that the Surgeon Super- intendent cannot go afloat, he shall signify the same to the vessel by hoisting a white flag with a blue cross in a conspicuous place on the southern side of the said island, in which case the vessel may proceed to the roadstead at Port Louis, to be there examined and dealt with as in the case of other vessels arriving at such roadstead. 35. All masters or other officers in command, and all surgeons of vessels which shall have sailed from a place where a contagious disease prevailed, or which shall have commu- nicated otherwise than by signal with any vessel or place in which a contagious disease º º e tº gº existed, shall be bound, under pain of a fine, which shall not be less than 20 l. nor exceed 2001, to make a true declaration thereof to the pilot and the Health Officer or Surgeon Superintendent who shall come alongside or on board such vessel. 36. All masters or other officers in command, and all surgeons of vessels, convicted of having knowingly had a contagious disease on board, and of not having made the declara- tion prescribed, or of having employed any means for concealing from the inspection of the Health Officer, or Surgeon Superintendent, individuals afflicted with contagious disease, shall be punished by a fine which shall not be less than 40 l. nor exceed 400 l., or by an impri- sonment which shall not be less than three months nor longer than one year, and in aggra- vated cases these penalties may be accumulated. 37. Every surgeon of a vessel, convicted of having concealed from the master or other officer in command the existence of contagious disease in any one or more of the persons on board, and every Health Officer or Surgeon Superintendent or pilot convicted of having, through connivance with the master or surgeon of the vessel, or otherwise, knowingly O. : 3. * X X 4. allowed Appendix, No. 16. - Wessels in quaran- tine in roadstead to be guarded, and to remain where . ordered by harbour master. Vessels with immi- grants to calſ at Flat Island. To be visited by Surgeon Superim- tendent. Temporary quaran- tine to be ordered in certain cases by Surgeon Superin- tendent. Governor may order it to be continued. Surgeon Superin- tendent may grant permission to pro- ceed to roadstead. He shall signal when he cannot go afloat. Officers of vessels to make, declara- tions under penal- ties. Officers of vessels concealing conta- gious diseases to be punished. Surgeon and Health Officer concealing contagious disease to be punished. 332 PAPERS RELATING TO THE Appendix, No. 16. Persons on board must answer ques- tions under penal- ties. Disposal of fines and forfeitures. Meaning of terms contagious and infectious. Governor may make and publish regu- lations. Promulgation. allowed the introduction into any port in Mauritius of any vessel having a contagious dis- ease on board, shall be subjected to the penalties mentioned in the preceding article. 38. The master and all persons on board of any vessel arriving off Mauritius and Flat Island are bound to answer the questions and inquiries which may be made to them by the Health Officer, Surgeon Superintendent, or pilot, respectively, and every person who shall refuse to answer, or shall answer falsely or evasively shall be liable to a fine which shall not exceed 200 l. 39. The produce of the fines and confiscations which shall be pronounced in virtue of the present Ordinance shall be paid over, the one-half equally between the informer and the person by whom the contravention shall have been proved, and wholly to the latter when there shall have been no informer: the other half of the fines shall be paid into the Colonial Treasury. 40. The expressions contagious and infectious disease in this law shall be taken to mean any and every disease which may be communicated from one person to another through the medium of touch or by near approach, and shall include the cholera morbus. 41. There shall be made and published by proclamation from the Governor, in Execu- tive Council, as often as circumstances may require, regulations, concerning the military and police force at the quarantine stations, and any other matters concerning any of the provisions of this Ordinance, which regulations may declare that any infraction thereof shall be punished by a fine, which shall not exceed 50l., and by an imprisonment not ex- ceeding three months, accumulatively or separately. 42. This Ordinance shall take effect from the date to be fixed by proclamation of the Governor. Passed in Council, at Port Louis, Island of Mauritius, this 6th February 1857. (signed) R. Y. Cummins, Secretary to the Council. SCHEDULE. Questions. Answers. gº ºsmºsas What is the name of the vessel and the name of the commander or master 2 Are you the commander or master 2 To what port does she belong? From whence do you come 2 To what place are you bound? At what ports or places have you touched on your voyage since you left the port of your lading P What vessels have you had intercourse or communication with on your passage, and from whence did they come 2 Did the cholera, plague, or any epidemic, infectious, or contagious disease or distemper prevailin any degree at the place from whence you sailed, or on board any vessel with which you had personal intercourse or communica- tion on your passage, or at any of the places at which you have touched? If at any, say at which, and when 3 Are there any persons on board your ship suffering under cholera or any infectious epidemic or contagious disease, or have any persons died or been ill of a disease of that nature during the voyage 2 And, if any, what number? And if any have died or been ill of such disease, were their bedding and clothes destroyed P Have you any and what bill of health 2 WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 333 .* Appendix, No. 17. d Appendix, No. 17. (L. S.) J. M. Higginson. ORDINANCE No. 21, of 1857. Enacted by the Governor of Mauritius, with the Advice and Consent of the Council of Government thereof, for rendering compulsory the Edu- cation of Children in the Colony.—14 July 1857. WHEREAs there is in the Colony a large and increasing number of children growing up in ignorance and vice, whose education would be a blessing to themselves and a great advantage to the community: * : . - - And whereas the measures hitherto taken for promoting the education of children in the Colony have, to a great extent, been frustrated by the apathy of their parents and guardians, and other causes: - - His Excellency the Governor in Council has ordered, and does hereby order: 1. From and after the date when this Ordinance shall come into operation there shall be established, throughout Mauritius, a system of compulsory education of the nature and for the periods hereinafter provided; that is to say, 2. All boys in the said island, between six and 12, and all girls therein, between six and 10 years of age, inclusive, shall be obliged to attend school as hereinafter specified: Pro- vided that such compulsory education shall not extend to children residing more than one and a half English miles from any school to be erected or recognised in terms hereof, or to children whose parents or guardians shall satisfy the inspector of schools to be appointed under this Ordinance, for the district where such children reside, that they are receiving otherwise than by attendance at such school, education at least equivalent to that herein provided: And also provided, that no child shall come under the provisions of this Ordi- nance until he or she shall have resided in the Colony for the period of six months. 3. The education required by this Ordinance shall include morality, order, and cleanli- ness, with reading, writing and arithmetic, and such industrial training as may, from time to time, be ordered by the Governor. The girls shall also be taught needlework and domestic economy. Religious instruction shall not (except as hereinafter provided) be given during the time set apart for compulsory education in any school to be erected or recognised for such educa- tion in terms of this Ordinance; and no child shall at any time attend religious instruction to be given in any such school against the wish of his or her parents or guardians. The French language shall be the medium of instruction; but in every school English shall be taught. 4. The hours during which, and the children to whom each of these branches of education shall be conveyed shall be determined by the head master of the school, under correction by the inspector of schools for the district. 5. The attendance at school shall be three hours daily, during five days of the week, except such holidays as are recognised in the Government schools, and in any regulations to be published under the powers hereinafter specified; and except when the child is unable to attend from sickness or any other cause recognised by the inspector for the district, such inability being always proved to the satisfaction of the master. It shall be in the power of the superintendent of schools to fix a time during the hours of attendance aforesaid for the attendance of religious instructors of any denomination, and the giving of religious instruction by them in each school: Provided that such time shall not exceed one hour in each week for the instructors, one or more of each denomination; and that the instruction to be given by them shall be in accordance with the provisions thereof. 6. In case any child shall, during more than a week in each year, be absent from school, without sufficient cause, as above provided, such child shall continue at school after the ordinary period of his or her other compulsory education for a time equivalent to such absence: Provided that such additional period shall not exceed 18 months in the case of any boy, and 12 months in the case of any girl. 7. In case any child shall, during the period above provided for his or her compulsory education, be withheld from school by his or her parents or guardians, or by any person or persons with their connivance, or by any person or persons whatsoever, such parents or guardians, or other person or persons respectively, shall, for the first offence, be taken bound by the district magistrate, upon their own recognisances, for a sum not less than 2 l. or more than 5 l. sterling, to abstain from all interference with the regular edu- cation of such child during the whole remaining period of his or her compulsory educa- tion; and any of the said individuals who shall again interfere therewith shall forfeit the whole or part of their said recognisances, as the district magistrate may deem proper; and, in case of non-payment, the magistrate shall have power to impose imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month. - O. l 3. Y y 8. In * * Compulsory educa- tion to be intro- duced. All children be- tween certain ages to be educated. The education re- quired shall include morality, &c. The hours, &c., for education to be fixed by master and inspector. Attendance to be three hours daily, except in case of sickness, &c. Hours for religio: S instruction to be allowed. In case of absence, period to be made up. Persons keeping child from school to be bound on re- cognisances. 334 PA 12 ERS’ RELATING TO THE Appendix, No. 17. And, on 1 epeating the offence, to be fined or impri- soned. School-fees to be paid. Master or mistress of child in service to be liable for school fees. School ſees may be Tecovered before magistrate. Magistrate may release poor de- fendant from pay- ing fees. Prescription of claim for school fees. Master or mistress of orphan child held to be its guar- dian. -Governor in Exe- cutive Council may erect schools. Governor in Exe- cutive Council may recognise schools for compulsory education. Inspectors of schools to be ap- pointed. Governor may ap- point collectors of educational sta- tistics, which must be furnished under penalties. Governor in Exe- cutive Uouncil may pass regulation.S. Prosecutions for penalties. 8. In case of repetition of the offence described in the preceding section, it shall be in the power of the magistrate, in addition to such forfeiture or imprisonment, to impose a fine not exceeding 2 1. sterling, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month, in case of Inon-payment s 9. The parents or guardians of every child educated in terms of this Ordinance shall pay school fees at a rate not exceeding 6 d. per month for each child ; and in case either the child, or his or her parents or guardians, are receiving poor relief, such fees shall be paid by the Poor Relief Board of the district. 10. When any child, subject to compulsory education, is in service, the master or mistress. (not being the master's wife) of such child shall be liable, in the first instance, for the school fees aforesaid, which may by them be retained from the child's wages: Provided that not more than two months’ fees shall be retained from one month's wages; and that where wages are payable a longer intervals than one month, there shall not be retained from each payment more than the fees applicable to education for the corresponding period. If such child does not receive wages in money, his or her school fees shall be paid by his or her father or mother if alive in the Colony; and, if not, the said fees shall be borne by Government. - 11. The school fees may be recovered from the persons liable therefor by summary process before the district magistrate at the instance of the schoolmaster or the inspector of schools for the district ; and in cases where any poor relief committee is liable for such fees as aforesaid, such process may be directed against the collector or overseer of poor for the district. - 12. The magistrate before whom any process for recovery of school fees shall be brought may give judgment for the defendant if he shall be satisfied that the defendant is unable from poverty to pay the sum demanded. 13. Action shall not be competent for more than four months’ fees of each child, or for any fees which shall have been due longer than six months. 14. The master or mistress aforesaid of any child whose parents are dead or out of the Colony, and who has no legal guardian in the Colony, shall be held to be guardian of such child in so far as regards the obligations for securing the regular attendance of such child at school. Art. 13 of Ordinance No. 21, of 1853, is repealed in so far as it might be held to provide that the Protector of Immigrants should be held as the guardian of any orphan immigrant under the provisions of this Ordinance. 15. It shall be in the power of the Governor in Executive Council to take measures for erecting, for the purposes of this Ordinance, schools and schoolmasters' houses, with play- grounds and offices in proper places, and also to allot adequate salaries to the masters and mistresses of such school: Provided that in every such school in which girls shall be taught, there shall be a schoolmistress. 16. It shall be in the power of the Governor in Executive Council, upon a report from the superintendent of schools, to recognise any public or private school in the Colony as a school for compulsory education in terms of this Ordinance, and notice of every such recognition shall forthwith be given in the “Government Gazette:” Provided that no school shall be so recognised unless with consent of the proprietors or managers thereof, and unless three hours daily during the days specified in Section 5 are set apart therein for education of the nature before described. Every such recognition of any school may be recalled by the Governor in Executive Council. 17. It shall be in the power of the Governor in Executive Council, to appoint districts. for inspectors of schools in terms of this Ordinance, and to determine what salaries shall be given to each inspector; and the Governor shall have power to appoint qualified per- sons to be inspectors of schools in such districts. 18. It shall be in the power of the Governor from time to time to appoint qualified officers to collect statistical information regarding the educational condition of the Colony; and all persons therein shall be obliged to furnish such information regarding their own children and wards, and any young persons under their charge or in their employment; and all persons refusing or neglecting to do so, or giving false information upon any of the said subjects, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding 5 ſ. sterling, and in case of nonpayment, to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two months; which respective penalties may be repeated toties quoties in case of continued refusal or neglect. 19. It shall be in the power of the Governor in Executive Council, to pass regulations for carrying out the object of this Ordinance; and such regulations, on being published in the “Government Gazette,” shall have the same effect as if they had been verbatim em- bodied therein. 20. All prosecutions for penalties under this Ordinance, shall be instituted and carried on by the superintendent of schools, or by the inspector of schools for the district, or by any person acting under their authority respectively. 21. This WEST INDIA COLONIES AN ID M A URITIUS. 33% Appendix, No. 17. 21. This Ordinance shall take effect when confirmed and allowed by Hel Majesty. Promulgation. Passed in Council at Port Louis, Island of Mauritius, this 14th day of July 1857. er (signed) R. Y. Cummins, Secretary to the Council. Appendix, No. 18. Appendix, No. 18- (L. S.). J. M. Higginson. ‘ORDINANCE No. 22 of 1857. Enacted by the Governor of Mauritius, with the Advice and Consent of the Council of Government thereof. To amend the Law relative to the Engaging of newly-arrived Immigrants.-[14 July 1857.] WHEREAs it is expedient to amend the law relative to the engaging of newly-arrived immigrants in excess of the number to which their employers may be entitled on payment of only the ordinary stamp duty on engagements of “New Immigrants *: Be it therefore enacted by his Excellency the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Council of Government, as follows: 1. Articles 6 and 7 of Ordinance No. 15 of 1854, shall be and are hereby repealed, and the following provisions shall come in lieu thereof: 2. Whenever any employer wishes to engage any newly-arrived male immigrants in excess of the number to which he may be entitled under the regulations at the time exist- ing, he shall, before such immigrants shall leave the depôt to be engaged, pay, to the pro- tector of immigrants, the passage-money, together with all other expenses chargeable in respect of such immigrants, and also the passage-money and other expenses chargeable for and in respect of such proportion of females as, according to regulations at the time existing, shall be required to accompany the said male innmigrants from India; and such employer shall, at the time of making such payments, be entitled to demand and receive from the Protector of Immigrants, a certificate that such payments have been made, in which certifi- cate shall be specified the amount paid, and the names and numbers of the several male immigrants in respect of whom such payments shall have been made. 3. Every newly-arrived immigrant for whom the Protector shall have received the pas- sage-money and expenses aforesaid, shall be considered as introduced at the expense of the person who paid the same, and as not forming a part of the contingent of immigrants whose introduction is provided for by the Council of Government. - And all moneys received under the provisions of the preceding article shall be applied, as speedily as possible, to the introduction of additional immigrants over and above those who may be introduced at the cost of the public treasury. 4. The person named in any such certificate as having paid the passage-money and other expenses as aforesaid, of any immigrant named therein, shall be entitled to engage and re- engage such immigrant free of stamp duty, upon production of such certificate to the stipen- diary magistrate before whom any such engagement shall be made. 5. Whenever any immigrant who shall have been engaged under the provisions of this Ordinance shall not serve the full term of his “industrial residence” under engagement with the person by whom the passage-money and other expenses as aforesaid shall have been paid, such person shall be entitled to claim and receive from the Government any sum or sums of money which shall have been paid by any other person, by way of stamp duty upon the engagement of such immigrant, or any sum of money which shall have been paid by the immigrant for the redemption of any part of his term of “industrial residence” under the provisions of Ordinance No. 21 of 1854. 6. It shall be lawful for the Governor, from time to time by proclamation, to be pub- lished in the “Government Gazette,” to make regulations for ensuring the operation and effect of the present Ordinance, within the intent and meaning of the same. 7. The present Ordinance shall take effect on and from the 1st day of August 1857. Passed in Council at Port Louis, Island of Mauritius, this 14th day of July 1857. (signed) R. Y. Cummins, Secretary to the Council- 336 PAPERS RELATING TO THE Appendix, No. 19. Immigrants from places not within the East India. Company’s terri- tories, to be intro- duced and to en- gage for three years, Licence to be ob- tained for vessel in- troducing such im- migrants. Penalties to be im- posed on persons introducing such immigrants against provisions hereof. Governor may pre- vent immigrants from landing if brought against provisions hereof. And if landed, they cannot engage for Inore than one year. Protector to exa- Imine as to accom- modation, &c., of immigrants, and to grant certificate. After certificate, immigrants to be delivered to Pro- tectOl'. Appendix, No. 19. - (L. S.) J. M. Higginson. ORDINANCE No. 23 of 1857. Enacted by the Governor of Mauritius with the Advice and Consent of the Council of Government thereof. To amend the Law as to the intro- duction and engagement of Immigrants from territories not under the Government of the East India Company.--ſ7 August 1857.] - WHEREAs it is expedient to amend the law as to the introduction and engagement of immigrants from territories not under the government of the East India Company. Be it therefore enacted by his Excellency the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Council of Government, as follows: 1. From and after the date when the present Ordinance shall come into operation, the introduction of immigrants from any place or places not within the territories under the government of the Honourable the East India Company shall be conducted in the manner hereinafter provided; and no immigrant from any place or places aforesaid shall be introduced except in terms of the provisions of this Ordinance. The immigrants so intro- duced shall, under the conditions and in the manner hereinafter specified, be competent to. enter into contracts of service, as defined in the Order in Council of 7th September 1838, for any period not exceeding three years. 2. Any person desirous of introducing to the Colony such immigrants may, previous to the departure of the vessel from the Colony, if such vessel shall be chartered in the Colony, apply to the Governor for a licence authorising such introduction; which licence the Governor shall have power to grant under such conditions as to him may seem proper. In case the vessel in which it is desired to introduce such immigrant, shall be chartered at any place out of the Colony, such licence may be granted by any British Consul, agent, or Emigration Agent, at or near such place whom the Governor shall authorise to grant the same, and every such licence shall be granted under such conditions as the Governor may direct. Every licence to be granted under the provisions hereof shall be limited to the vessel and to the place or places which shall be specified therein, and shall require to be renewed upon every successive voyage. 3. In the event of any immigrants or intended immigrants being introduced into the Colony or being brought into any roadstead or harbour thereof, from any place or places not within the territories aforesaid, without a previous licence being obtained therefor as afore- said, or without the conditions being fulfilled under which such licence (if obtained) shall have been granted, the master, owner, and agent of the ship respectively shall, for every immigrant introduced or brought as aforesaid, be liable to a fine not exceeding 50 l., or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months: Provided that such imprisonment shall not in any case exceed the period of three years. The said penalties may be inflicted cumulatively on a repetition of the offence. 4. In the event specified in the preceding section, it shall moreover, be lawful to the Governor to prevent any such immigrants or intended immigrants from being landed upon any part of the Colony, and in case any of them shall have been so lauded, it shall be lawful to him to direct measures to be taken at the expense of the owner, agent, or master of the ship for having them sent back to the place from which they were taken : Provided that if the Governor shall allow any such immigrants to land or remain in the Colony, they shall not be competent to enter into contracts of Service for a longer period than one year. 5. On the arrival of any ship or vessel at Mauritius with immigrants or intended immi- grants brought from any port or place not within the territories aforesaid, and immediately after such ship or vessel shall have received pratique, the Protector of Immigrants shall repair on board and shall ascertain, as far as possible, by personal inspection and examina- tion whether the provisions of this Ordinance and of any regulations to be framed in virtue hereof, and the conditions of the licence aforesaid for such vessel (where such licence shall have been obtained), have been duly complied with ; and if he shall be satisfied that such is the case he shall without delay grant a certificate to that effect: If he shall not be satisfied thereof, he shall immediately report the matter to the Governor, under whose directions such certificate shall be granted or withheld as to him may seem fit. 6. As soon as practicable after the said certificate (if granted) shall have been obtained, thé master of the vessel shall land such of the immigrants therein as are intended for intro- duction into the Colony, and shall deliver them to the Protector of Immigrants, together with a sufficient quantity of good and wholesome provisions for their maintenance during the space of 48 hours next after their landing. 7. All sº WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 337 7. All such immigrants shall (except as hereinafter provided) remain under the charge of the Protector of Immigrants until they shall have procured employment, and no contract of service shall be entered into with any immigrant arriving at Mauritius until after he shall have been 48 hours on shore, or until he shall have obtained from the Protector of Immi- grants a ticket of registration as hereinafter provided. Every contract of service made before that time shall be null and void to all intents and purposes. 8. The Protector of . Immigrants shall keep a separate register in the form in the Schedule (A.) hereunto annexed for the immigrants introduced into the Colony under the provisions of this Ordinance. A ticket shall also be given to each of such immigrants in the form in the Schedule (B.) hereunto annexed, in which shall be specified the period for which the said immigrant is competent to engage. 9. It shall not be lawful for the said Protector to issue any ticket to any such immigrant, unless proof shall have previously been given to him that the person desiring to engage such immigrant has paid or satisfied the master, owner, or agent of the vessel in which the said immigrant was brought, for the passage money and all other expenses due in respect of such immigrant, as the same shall be fixed in the manner hereinafter provided, or unless the said master, owner, or agent shall consent to such ticket being issued. But provided that the said Protector shall be entitled, and on application therefor shall be bound to issue, a ticket authorising an engagement for any period not exceeding one year to any immigrant who shall have been allowed to land or to remain in the Colony in terms of Art. 4, hereof, or who shall have been under charge of the said Protector as aforesaid, for any longer period than 14 days without having been engaged in terms of the preceding articles hereof. 10. In case any person shall have made arrangements with the master, owner, or agent of any vessel for the introduction of immigrants with a view to their engagement with him- self in terms of this Ordinance, and in case any of the immigrants introduced in consequence of such arrangement shall be induced to engage with another person, such other person shall, in addition to the passage-money and all other expenses payable as aforesaid on account of the immigrants so to be engaged by him and previous to the issuing of a ticket as hereinaforesaid pay to the Protector 25 per cent, on the amount thereof; which 25 per cent. shall be paid by the Protector to the person by whom the aforesaid arrangement for the introduction of the said immigrants shall have been made: Provided that, previous to Appendix, No. 19. Immigrants not to be engaged till they have been 48 hours on shore, and have obtained ticket of registration. Immigrants to be registered and to get a registration ticket. Same schedule as already prepared. Ticket not to be issued unless pas- sage money, &c., , has been arranged; except in certain C{LS6S. Person who has made arrangement for introducing in- migrants to receive 25 "lo on passage- money if they en- gage with another. the departure of the vessel from the Colony for the purpose of bringing such immigrants, if the vessel shall be chartered there, or from any other place where she shall be chartered for the said purpose, such person shall have transmitted to the Protector of Immigrants a certi- ficate signed by himself and by the master, owner, or agent of the vessel, as nearly as may be in the form of Schedule (C.) hereunto annexed; and also provided that the said Protector shall be satisfied from entries in the ship's books or any other evidence, that the immigrants in respect of whom the said 25 per cent. shall be claimed were embarked under the said arrangement on account of the person claiming the same. 11. The maximum sum which the master, owner, or agent of any vessel that shall have brought immigrants to Mauritius under the provisions of this Ordinance, may demand on account of passage-money, and all other expenses due for such immigrants, shall be deter- mined according to a scale that shall be fixed by a committee composed of the Collector of Customs, the Protector of Immigrants, and the Harbour Master, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and of the Chamber of Agriculture respectively, to be named by the Governor, three members of which committee shall form a quorum; and which scale may by them be altered from time to time as occasion may require. Such scale shall, after having been approved by the Governor, be posted up in the Custom House, the Immi- gration Depôt, and the Port Office, and be published in the “Government Gazette” for general information. 12. In the event of any immigrants being brought to this Colony from any port or place, the rate of passage-money from which, and other expenses which may be demanded on account of such immigrants shall not appear in the said scale, the said committee shall, as soon as may be after the arrival of the vessel in which such immigrants shall have come, fix and determine the amount of passage-money and other expenses aforesaid, and the amount so fixed shall not be subject to alteration or review by any court or tribunal what- CVOI’. - 13. The passage-money and expenses aforesaid shall in no case be a debt recoverable from the immigrant, but shall be paid by the master with whom any such immigrant may first enter into a written contract of service. 14. The master of any ship or vessel by which immigrants shall have been brought to Mauritius from any port or place not within the territories aforesaid, who shall not have furnished to such immigrants during the voyage, a sufficient quantity of good and whole- some provisions and water, or who shall have in any way ill-treated any such immigrant while on board his vessel, shall incur a penalty not exceeding 50l.; and, in default of payment, shall be imprisoned for a period not exceeding 12 months; which punishments may be inflicted cumulatively, and may be doubled in aggravated cases, as well as on a repetition of the offence. - O. 1 3. Y Y 3 15. Any Amount of passage- money to be fixed and published. Passage-money not So published to Le determined by cer. tain persons. Passage-money, &c., not to be deit On Immigrant. Penalties to be in- posed on master of yessel ill-treating immigrants. 338 PAPERS RELATING TO THE Appendix, No. 19. Penalties for un- lawful detention of immigraats. Existing law as to forfeiture and re- covery of wages, annulling engage- ments, &c., ex- tended to immi- grants under this Ordinance. Immigrants mar- ried in their own. country may de- clare their mar- riages there. One of the parties so married may make similar de- claration. Such declarations to be made before consular officers, &c. Such declaration to be confirmed before Protector. Certified copy of declaration primá facie proof. T)eclarations of marriage to be de- livered to Officer of Civil Status. Existing law as to enticing wives of Indian immigrants to apply to immi- grants under this Ordinance. Governor may pass regulations. Prosecutions in certain cases to be before district ma- gistrates. In certain other cases to be before Supreme Court. 15. Any person who shall unlawfully detain any immigrants, one or more, against their will, in any place within the Colony or dependencies, shall incur a penalty not exceeding 50ſ. for every such immigrant, and another penalty of 5/. for each month beyond the first month during which such detention may have been continued, and in default of payment, shall be imprisoned for a period not exceeding two years. - 16. The provisions of any subsisting law relating to forfeitures of wages, rations and penalties incurred for unlicensed absences from work, and any law relating to the recovery of wages and arrears of wages, the providing of rations and medical treatment, and the annulling or cancelling of contracts of service, are hereby extended to immigrants engaged under the powers conferred by this Ordinance. - . 17. Any person intending to come to this Colony as an immigrant in terms of this Ordi- nance, and having been legally married according to the forms and ceremonies of his religion, or of the law of his domicile at the time of marriage, may go before any one of the persons hereinafter empowered to receive declarations of marriage, accompanied by his wife and children (if any) the issue of such marriage; and such intending in migrant and his wife may, in the presence of two witnesses, make a declaration before such person (in the form in the Schedule (D.) hereunto annexed), that they have been lawfully married according to the forms and ceremonies aforesaid; and that the children (if any) accom- panying them are the lawful issue of such marriage; and such declaration shall be signed by the parties making the same, and by two witnesses thereto respectively, if able to write. If any of the said parties or witnesses are unable to write, they shall affix their marks to the said declaration, which shall in every case be attested by the person before whom it shall be made. 18. A similar declaration (according to the form in the Schedule (E.) hereunto annexed) may be made in the country from which such immigrant is embarked for introduction into this Colony, by one of the parties to any such marriage intending to proceed to the Colony to join the other party there. 19. Such declarations of marriage may be taken and made in the country aforesaid by or before any British consular officer therein when such country is not a dependency of the British Crown; or by or before any judge, magistrate, or justice of the peace when such country is a dependency aforesaid; and in either case by or before any Immigration Agent appointed by the Government for the place where such declaration shall be made. 20. Where any such declaration of marriage shall have been made as aforesaid, the parties therein declaring themselves to have been lawfully married, or the survivor of them in case the other shall have died in the interval, may appear before the Protector of Immi- grants in this island, and may in his presence confirm the said declaration. And the Protector, if satisfied of the identity of the parties, and of the death of one of the parties, in case the declaration shall be made by the other as survivor, shall certify the fact of such confirmation upon the face of the declaration. *. 21. A certified copy of every declaration of marriage so made and confirmed shall be deemed for all purposes sufficient primá facie evidence of the marriage of the parties, and of the legitimacy of the children (if any) named therein. w 22. The originals of all declarations of marriage made and confirmed as hereinbefore mentioned, shall be deposited at the office of the Protector of Immigrants, who shall, in the month of January in each year, deliver over to the Officer of the Civil Status of Port Louis, all the said declarations of marriage which shall have been deposited in his office during the preceding year, such declarations having been first properly bound up together in a book. The said book shall be filed and kept of record in the office of the said Öfficer of the Civil Status. 23. The provisions of any existing law as to the trial and punishment of persons who shall entice or harbour the wives of Indian Immigrants are hereby extended to persons who shall entice or harbour the wives of immigrants introduced in terms of this Ordinance. 24. The Governor in Executive Council shall have power to pass and publish in the “Government Gazette,” regulations for carrying out the objects of this Ordinance, which regulations shall have the same force and effect as if verbatim embodied in this Ordinance, and in any licence to be granted as herein aforesaid. 25. All contraventions of the provisions in this Ordinance contained, for which there is imposed a penalty not exceeding that which may be inflicted by a district magistrate, shall, if committed within the limits of any district in the Colony, be prosecuted and tried before the magistrate of such district. And all contraventions thereof for which there is imposed a penalty as aforesaid, if com- mitted anywhere beyond the limits of any district in the Colony, shall be prosecuted and tried before one of the district magistrates of Port Louis. * All contraventions of the said provisions, wherever they shall have been committed, for which the penalty exceeds that which may be inflicted by a district magistrate, shall be prosecuted and tried before the Supreme Court of this Colony. 26. S . YO W. EST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 339 26. So much of the Order in Council of 7th September 1838 as is repugnant to the provi- Appendix, No. 19. sions in this Ordinance contained, and all proclamations and regulations respecting immi– of gration from Madagascar, the Comoro Islands, Zanzibar, and other ports and places not º Of former within the jurisdiction of the East India Company, are hereby repealed. {º 27. This Ordinance shall commence and take effect when confirmed and allowed by Promulgation. Her Majesty. - . - Passed in Council at Port Louis, Island of Mauritius, this 7th day of August 1857. R. Y. Cummins, Secretary to the Council. SchEBULE (A.) Register of Immigrants under Ordinance No. 23 of 1857. § .E. * , sº º P.; o, ſº Name of ; g • 3:5 % 5 gº: - * * . *d go ſº: C • E • tº ~~ S- 23 3: C 3 3.” Tº .8 º So & P- B: ## Fº gº - # $o e pºse * sº Q ºc tº & = # à | # , | ## ###| || 3: }- gº O ~ +5 :- "I & & Gº) .E Q tº g *es & *—s O 2- tº º- +: tº gº 30 5 o gº 35 © * . d SC, Q) *s -: 3.9 .* §2 º' -5 ** +4 .8 v | 3 || 3 5 || 3 || 2 | # 2 g ( ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; E. E ~f~, Tºš tº Q) sº !- : º: # 3 } 5 = | * : É | ? § 8 c º; º S. § bſ) 3. cº cº º 5.5 3 s, . c. 6d 5 § º 2. 2. G- P: CD O 2. ſh: Prº || 2: 3 5: CS2. E-1 ºi. o: § SCHEDULE (B.) Ticket of Immigrant under Ordinance No. 23 of 1857. 1. Name of immigrant. 2. Number. 3 Name of father. * | Name of mother. 4. Sex. 5. Age. 6. Stature. 7. Marks. 8. Caste. * 9. Native country and village. tº * * e 10. Name of vessel and captain by which introduced. 11. Whether aceompanied by children, and, if so, their names, sexes, and ages. 12. Time during which competent to engage. \ 13. Remarks. Protector of Immigrants. SCHEDULE (C.) Q Port Louis, Mauritius, day of 185 . WE 4. B. (designation) and C. D. master (or owner or agent) of the (name of vessel) of (port of registry), certify that an arrangement was on the day of ºntered into between (mention by whom arrangement made) for the introduction into this Colony in the said Vessel of (mention number) male and (mention number) female immigrants On account of the said A. B. The above certificate deposited in my office this dayl A. B. (Date) , , } C. D. E. F., Protector of Immigrants. O. 13, © & * Y Y 4 34 O PAPERS RELATING TO THE Appendix, No. 20. Penalty to be im- posed on persons aiding or abetting in the emigration of natives of India except from certain places. JPenalty to be im- posed on masters of vessels conveying emigrants without licence. This Ordinance not to apply to seamen, menial servants, or Indians emigrating at their own ex- pense. Steps to be taken on illegal introduc- tº on of natives of India and liabilities of masters of ves- sels in such cases. Promulgation. Appendix, No. 21. Appendix, No. 20. (L.S.) J. M. Higginson. ORDINANCE No. 26 of 1857. Enacted by the Governor of Mauritius, with the advice and consent of the Council of Government thereof, for preventing the Illegal Introduction of Indian Immigrants.-[2 September 1857.] - WHEREAs the laws at present existing in the Colony for preventing the introduction of immigrants from India, in contravention of the regulations thereupon prescribed by the Government of the Colony and the Government of India, are insufficient: and whereas it is expedient to make effectual provision for the prevention and punishment of such illegal introduction: . Be it therefore enacted by his Excellency the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Council of Government, as follows:— 1. From and after the date when this Ordinance shall come into operation, every person who shall knowingly aid or abet any native of India in emigrating from any place within the territories under the Government of the Honourable East India Company (except Cal- cutta, Madras, and Bombay, and any other port or place from which such emigration may hereafter be allowed by the said Honourable Company), for the purpose of being employed as a labourer within this Colony, or any dependency thereof, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding 20 l. Sterling for every native aforesaid who shall have so emigrated, and shall have arrived in this Colony, or any dependency thereof, and in default of payment shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months. - 2. From and after the date aforesaid, the master of any ship or vessel in which any emigrant being a native of India shall have been conveyed to the Colony, or any dependency thereof, from Calcutta, Madras, or Bombay, or any other port or place aforesaid, for the purpose of labouring for hire in the Colony, or any dependency thereof, without a licence authorising the conveyance of such emigrant in such ship or vessel having been obtained from the Government of the Presidency in which the port or place is situated from which such immigrant shall be conveyed, shall be liable in a fine not exceeding 20 l. Sterling for every immigrant so illegally conveyed, and in default of payment shall be liable to impri- sonment for a period not exceeding 12 months. 3. Provided always, that nothing in this Ordinance contained shall be taken to apply to any native seaman who shall, of his own free will, contract to navigate any vessel from any bort or place within the territories of the Honourable East India Company to the said Colony, or any dependency thereof, or who shall embark on board any such vessel in pur- suance of such contract, or to any person who shall embark under a contract as a menial servant, or to any person who shall embark on board any such vessel as a bond ſide passen- ger, paying his own passage-money and other expenses, or the wife or child of such person. 4. Whenever any native of India shall be introduced into the Colony, or any dependency thereof, in the manner hereinbefore set forth, it shall be in the power of the Governor to direct that he be delivered, and he shall accordingly be delivered to the Protector of Immi- grants, by whom such steps shall be taken as the Governor may direct for the protection of such native of India; and in the event of the Governor directing that he shall be sent to India, the expense of so doing shall be recoverable from the master of the vessel, or any other person by whom the said Indian may have been so introduced as aforesaid. 5. The present Ordinance shall take effect on and from the 5th day of September 1857. Passed in Council at Port Louis, Island of Mauritius, this 2d day of September, 1857 R. P. Cummins, Secretary to the Council. Appendix, No. 21. (L.S.) J. M., Higginson. ORDINANCE No. 27 of 1857. Enacted by the Governor of Mauritius, with the advice and consent of the Council of Government thereof, for more effectually securing the Observance of the Law concerning Quarantine.--L10 September 1857.] WHEREAs it is expedient to make additional provision for securing the observance of the laws regarding quarantine : - Be it therefore enacted by his Excellency the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Council of Government, as follows:— 1. When WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 34. I I. When any vessel shall come to Mauritius, any person who, before such vessel shall have entered any harbour hereof, shall approach within 100 yards of such vessel, and who shall within 28 days thereafter land upon, or come within low-water mark of the shore of any part of the island or dependencies aforesaid, or enter any harbour, creek, or river thereof, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding 50l. Sterling, or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months: Provided that these provisions shall not extend to any autho- rised pilot or health officer, or the crews of their respective boats approaching such vessel, in conformity with the law regarding quarantine at the time existing, or to any person who shall have approached such vessel after pratique shall have been obtained therefor. 2. When any vessel shall come to Mauritius, any person who, having been on board thereof, or of any boat belonging thereto, shall, before pratique shall have been obtained therefor, land on any part of the said island within the period of 28 days after having been on board as aforesaid, or shall within the said period enter any harbour, creek, or river thereto belonging, or approach by sea within low-water mark of any part of the shore of the said island, except for the purpose of undergoing quarantine in terms of the law relative thereto at the time existing, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding 507. Sterling, or an imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months. 3. Whenever any person shall, in contravention of any of the provisions hereinbefore contained, enter any harbour, creek, or river belonging to the said island, or approach by sea within low-water mark of any part thereof, it shall be in the power of any constable or officer of police, or any officer of the harbour department, without any warrant, to appre- hend such person, and any boat or other conveyance on or in which he may be, and all articles which may be in his possession at the time, and to detain him and them at a safe distance from any other person whatever, until it shall be ascertained whether quarantine therefor shall be required. 4. Any officer making any seizure in terms of the preceding Article, shall, as soon as may be thereafter, inform the harbour-master thereof, by whom the same shall be commu- nicated to the health officer of Port Louis, or chief medical officer, in order that imme- diate steps may be taken for having such person, and any boat or conveyance, or other articles aforesaid put in quarantine, or dealt with otherwise according to law. And such officer, and all persons in the boat with him at the time, shall abstain from any communi- cation with any person on shore for such period thereafter as may be prescribed by such authority. - 5. All contraventions of the provisions contained in this Ordinance, or in the Ordinance No. 3 of 1857, intituled “An Ordinance to amend the Laws concerning Quarantine,” for which there is imposed a penalty not exceeding that which may be inflicted by a district magistrate, may be prosecuted either before the magistrate of the district within which the same were committed, or before the district magistrate of Port Louis. And any contraventions whatever of the Ordinances aforesaid may be prosecuted and tried before such district magistrates respectively: Provided that in any cases to be so pro- secuted and tried, the public prosecutor shall restrict the penalty to be imposed therefor to such as may be imposed by a district magistrate, without reference to any forfeiture which may also be incident to such contravention, which said restriction the said public prosecutor is hereby authorised to make. 6. The present Ordinance shall come into operation on and from the 12th of September 1857. f' -- ..! Passed in Council at Port Louis, Island of Mauritius, this 10th day of September 1857. - - R. Y. Cummins, Secretary to the Council. Published by Order of his Excellency the Governor, Humphry Sandwith, Colonial Secretary. O. 13. Z Z Penalty imposed on persons coming to the Colony after having been within 100 yards of vessel. Penalty on persons coming from vessel before pratique. Police and officers of harbour depart- ment to seize in cases of contraven- tion. Such officers to de- tain person, &c., seized. Contraventions to be prosecuted be: fore certain district magistrates. 342 PAPERS RELATING TO THE Appendix, No. 22. Governor autho- rised to apply 61,417 l. 5 s. 5 d. to public works. And 21,000 l. to service of immigra- tion. Repeal of previous law. Promulgation. Appendix, No. 22. (L. S.) J. M. Higginson. ORDINANCE No. 28 of 1857. Enacted by the Governor of Mauritius, with the advice and consent of the Council of Government thereof, to Repeal Ordinance No. 10 of 1856, and to apply certain Sums out of the Surplus Revenue to the Construction of Public Works, and to the Service of Indian Immigration.—[10 September 1857.] • 2 .. WHEREAs it is expedient to repeal Ordinance, No. 10 of 1856, intituled, “An Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding 17,167 l. 2s. 11d. Sterling out of the funds accrued from the surplus revenue of past years, to the service of the year 1857,” and in lieu thereof to pass the following Ordinance for the purpose of applying a portion of the fun ds accrued from the surplus revenue of past years to the construction of works of uncontroverted public utility and also to the service of immigration; - ... 4 * . -- - - -- - 4 a. Be it therefore enacted by his Excellency the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Council of Government as follows: 1. It shall be lawful for the Governor to expend a sum not exceeding 61,417 l. 5s. 5d. sterling, out of the funds accrued from the surplus revenue of past years upon the construc- tion of the public works and buildings enumerated in the accompanying Schedule, and which have been duly sanctioned by the Council of Government, also a further sum not ºng 21,000l. sterling to be applied to the service of immigration from India to the olony. 2. Ordinance No. 10 of 1856, is hereby repealed. - 3. This Ordinance shall commence and take effect when confirmed and allowed by Her Majesty. Passed in Council at Port Louis, Island of Mauritius, this 10th day of September 1857. R. Y. Cummins, Secretary to the Council. Published by order of his Excellency the Governor. Humphry Sandwith, Colonial Secretary. Schedule of Sums to be defrayed out of the Accumulated Balances in compliance - with the foregoing Ordinance. . ---------- Works and Buildings. £. s. d. Lunatic asylum - cº- we - - tºº -> - - - 7,234 12 11 Powder magazine - - - - - -- - - - *= 2,926 12 6 Quarantine buildings, 40,793 l., now revised to - - – £. 39,602 Additional quarantine expenses incurred, which may be in- cluded in the revised estimate º º- * tº- - 2,459 - 42,061 – — 52,222 5 5 Police station, Plaines Wilhems, and purchase of ground – £, 2,855 Prisons, Rivière du Rempart - - - - - - 3,340 Bridge over Rivière du Poste - - - - - º 3,000 wº-mºss-ºs-ºsmºs 9,195 – — ToTAL Works and Buildings - - - £. 61,417 5 5 Immigration. Introduction of 3,000 additional Immigrants * * º - - 21,000 – — TOTAL - - - £. 82,417 5 5 WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 343 Appendix, No. 23. (L. S.) W. Stevenson. ORDINANCE No. 30 of 1857. Enacted by the Governor of Mauritius, with the advice and consent of the Council of Government thereof. To vest the Special Committee of Council, appointed to inquire into and report upon a Letter from Mr. Advocate Savy, to the Governor General in India in Council, representing that impartial justice is not administered to Indian immigrants in this Colony, with the power to compel witnesses to give evidence on oath or affirmation.—[21 October 1857.] WHEREAs at a sitting of the Council of Government held on the tenth day of September in the present year, a Special Committee of the said Council was appointed to inquire into and report upon a letter from Mr. Advocate Savy, to the Governor General in India in Council, representing that impartial justice is not administered to Indian immigrants in this Colony: And whereas it is expedient to invest the said Committee with power and authority to administer oaths or affirmations, as the case may be, to all witnesses who may be examined before them, and also to summon and compel all witnesses whom they may think fit to examine touching the subject-matter of the said inquiry to attend and give evidence therein : Be it therefore enacted by his Excellency the Governor with the advice and consent of the Council of Government as follows: 1. The said Committee shall have power and authority and are hereby required to admi- nister an oath to every witness who shall be examined or shall be required to produce any document or documents before them touching any matter relating to the said inquiry to whom an oath could be lawfully administered in a court of justice, and every witness whose evidence, if emitted in a court of justice, would be taken upon affirmation, shall, before being examined or required to produce any document or documents as aforesaid, emit such affirmation in the same manner as if he had been called upon to give evidence as a witness in a court of justice. In the cases herein-aforesaid the oath or affirmation, as the case may be, shall be administered by the chairman of the Committee. 2. Any witness who, having been duly sworn or having made affirmation as herein-afore- said, shall wilfully give false evidence before the said Committee, shall be liable to prosecu- tion, conviction, and punishment in the same manner as if he had given such false evidence in a civil suit. 3. Every person who may be required to give evidence, or to produce any document or documents before the said Committee, shall be summoned by the chairman of the Com- mittee; and any person who, having been summoned by service by any usher of a writ under the hand of the said chairman, calling him to appear for the said purpose at a place and on a day specified in such writ, not being Sooner than 48 hours after such service, shall not attend, or, attending, shall refuse to be sworn, or emit an affirmation as herein-aforesaid, or, after having been sworn, or emitted such affirmation, shall refuse to give evidence or produce any document under his power or control which he may lawfully be required to produce or to answer any question which the Committee may lawfully call upon him to answer, shall be liable to be attached in the Supreme Court, upon a certificate under the hand of the chairman of the Committee setting forth the grounds of complaint against the witness, and shall be liable to be punished in like manner as if such witness, after having been duly summoned or subpoenaed, had neglected to attend, or had refused to be sworn or emit an affirmation or to give evidence or to produce any document or answer any lawful question respectively upon a trial in any civil cause before the said Supreme Court. 4. This Ordinance shall take effect on and from the day of its publication. Passed in Council at Port Louis, island of Mauritius, this 21st day of October 1857. R. Y. Cummins, Secretary to the Council. Published by order of his Excellency the Governor. Humphry Sandwith, Colonial Secretary. *a*.*.*.*rt a y - ºrº-rºtº-ºxºº. at aftº rars. Astr. ra"rew rºs' ºwn ---ºve, weare nºw ex- (). 3. Z Z 2 Appendix, No. 23. smº - as Committee to ad- minister Oath or Affirmation. Penalty for false Evidence. Compulsory attend- ance of witnesses. Promulgation. 344 PAPERS RELATING TO THE Appendix, No. 24. sºmºmº * No Stamp Duty to be paid for period comprehended by Subsisting contract. This Ordinance not to apply when con- tract was broken for misconduct, &c. Ordinance 5 of 1849 modified. Appendix, No. 25. Contracts of Service in India legalised. Appendix, No. 24. - (L.S.) William Stevenson. ORDINANCE No. 7 of 1858. Enacted by the Governor of Mauritius, with the advice and consent of the Council of Government thereof, to modify. Ordinance. No. 5 of 1849, as to the Tax payable on Engagement of new Immigrants.-22 April 1858.] . . . . WHEREAs by Ordinance No. 5 of 1849, it is ordered that there shall be paid upon every contract of service with a new immigrant a stamp duty according to the scale in the said Ordinance provided : ºf:\; And whereas provision has not been made in the said Ordinance or otherwise for cases in which extended or substituted contracts of service are entered into before the expiry of con- tracts upon which the proper stamp duty has been paid, which state of the law frequently occasions hardship and inconvenience to masters and to new immigrants in the Colony: Be it therefore enacted by his Excellency the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Council of Government, as follows: - - l. Where any new immigrant engaged under a contract of service for which the proper duty has been paid shall, before the expiry of the time specified in the said contract, agree to annul such contract, and to enter into a new engagement with the same employer for a period comprehending any portion of the time embraced by such previous contract, no stamp duty shall be paid upon such new engagement in so far as it relates to the aforesaid portion of time, but the new engagement shall nevertheless be charged with the duty appli- cable to the additional or extended period of employment. 2. In the event of any estate upon which new immigrants, one or more, are engaged to the proprietor thereof under any contract of service, being acquired by a new proprietor under any lawful title of transmission, and in the event of any of the said new immigrants being willing to engage upon such estate with the said new proprietor for the portion remaining unexpired of any contract of service subsisting at the date of such transmission, or for any period including such portion, no stamp duty shall be paid upon such new engagement in so far as it relates to the said unexpired portion. 3. Provided that nothing in this Ordinance contained shall be held to extend to cases in which the first engagement was broken by the stipendiary magistrate having jurisdiction therein on account of any act of misconduct or breach of contract by either of the parties thereto. 4. The Ordinance No. 5 of 1849, shall be and the same is hereby altered and modified to the effect hereinbefore provided. 5. The present Ordinance shall commence and take effect on the 24th day of April 1858. Passed in Council at Port Louis, island of Mauritius, this 22d day of April 1858. R. Y. Cummins, Secretary to the Council. Appendix, No. 25. (L. S.) William Stevenson. ORDINANCE No. 30 of 1858. Enacted by the Governor of Mauritius with the advice and consent of the Council of Government thereof, An Ordinance to legalise Contracts of Service made in India, and authorise Government to allot newly arrived Immigrants.- [20 October 1858.] * WHERE As it is expedient to legalise contracts of service to be entered into in India with immigrants to Mauritius: And whereas it is also expedient to enable the Government of Mauritius to allot to em- ployers Indian immigrants newly arrived in Mauritius, who shall not have entered into such contracts: Be it therefore enacted by his Excellency the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Council of Government, as follows. 1. From and after the date when this Ordinance shall come into operation, contracts of service to be performed in Mauritius for periods not exceeding three years, may be lawfully entered into in India between immigrants from India to Mauritius, and persons residing or having landed property in the Colony, provided that such contracts shall be entered into in the manner prescribed by this Ordinance, and by any regulations to be made and published as hereinafter provided. * 2. Every WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 345 2. Every such contract of service entered into in terms of this Ordinance and of the said regulations, shall be equally valid and effectual (except as hereinafter provided), as if it had been entered into in Mauritius, according to the law and practice existing there at the date of such contract. º * & 3. In every case in which a passage to Mauritius shall have been taken for any immigrant, who shall have entered into a contract as herein-aforesaid, the party whom such immigrant shall have engaged to serve, shall pay to the Government of Mauritius the passage-money and all other expenses which may be incurred on account of such immigrant, together with the proportional expense chargeable upon him on account of females accompanying immi- grants, under regulations existing at the time. - 4. The arrival at the immigration depôt in Mauritius of every immigrant who shall have entered into a contract in India, as aforesaid, shall, as soon as possible, be published or notified to the intended employer under such contract, in terms of the regulations to be framed under this Ordinance. g : * * * 5. Every immigrant who shall have made a contract in India, as aforesaid, and who shall enter on service with the original or substituted employer under the same, shall be free from stamp duty or other impost, on account of the same or any subsequent contract of service which he may make with such employer or those in his right. It shall also be in the power of such employer or those in his right, so long as the immi- grant shall remain in his or their service, with the consent of such immigrant, to release Him from all obligation to serve under the said contract made in India; and every such immigrant, if released in the form to be prescribed by regulation, shall be free from the said contract, and from all obligation of industrial residence or otherwise under the same. 6. If such immigrant shall, at the termination of his said contract of service, refuse to re-engage with the employer under the same, he shall either enter into a contract of service with another employer or other employers successively, subject to a stamp duty of Łl. 12s. per annum, to be paid by such new employer or employers for the time required to complete the immigrant's full term of five years' industrial residence in the Colony: or, if he shall desire to redeem the residue Öf his industrial residence, he shall pay to the Colonial Treasury a sum at the said rate of 1 l. 12s. per annum, for every year or part thereof remaining unexpired of his said term of industrial residence. 7. Any sums which may be recovered by Government under the preceding article, shall, in each case, be paid on demand to the employer, under the said first mentioned contract, or to those in his right, upon sufficient evidence to be by them produced, of the right to receive the same. 8. Nothing contained in the preceding articles shall be held to prevent or restrict the power of the magistrate having jurisdiction therein, upon lawful grounds, from ordering the cancel- lation of any contract of service herein-aforesaid. But when such cancellation shall have been ordered on account of any fault or wrong on the part of the enployer, or those for whom he is responsible, he shall have no right to any sum which may be received by Government for the immigrant by way of stamp duty on engagement, or for redemption of industrial residence. 9. In case the services of any immigrant who shall have entered in India into a contract, as aforesaid, shall not be claimed by the intended employer under the same, within seven days after the immigrant's arrival at the depôt in Mauritius (such arrival being duly pub- lished or notified in terms of the regulations), such immigrant may elect either to enforce the contract by proceeding before the proper stipendiary magistrate against the intended employer under the same, or to be entirely free from the obligations of the said contract, subject to his claim of damages for any loss which may arise to him in consequence of non- fulfilment of the contract, which damages may be recovered before the proper stipendiary magistrate. Every such election shall be intimated to the Protector of Immigrants, and shall by him be recorded in terms of regulations to be framed under this Ordinance. 10. In case the immigrant shall elect to be free from his contract, the party on behalf of whom he shall have been introduced shall forfeit and pay to the Government one-half of the passage-money and other expenses applicable to such immigrant, and of the proportional expense chargeable on him on account of the introduction of females; and every such immigrant shall be in the same position in all respects as if he had been introduced into the Colony without having made any contract in India with an individual employed. 11. It shall, moreover, be lawful to any immigrant and intended employer, under a con- tract made in India, to transfer the same, with all its rights and obligations, to a substitute employer; and every such transfer shall assign and transfer to the substituted employer the whole rights and interest under such contract, and all the obligations incumbent upon the intended employer therein. Such transfer shall only be valid if made with the full consent of the original and sub- stituted employer, and of the immigrant, and with the approval and concurrence of the Government upon satisfactory reasons being assigned therefor. Every such transfer shall be in the form, and be executed in the manner prescribed by regulations under this Ordinance. O. 1 3. Z Z 3 Such Appendix, No. 25. Such contracts valid if made according to law. - Employer to pay passage-money, &c. Arrival of engaged immigrants to be published. Immigrant engaged ir. India to be free from stamp duty, for contract with first employer. Employer may re- lease immigrant from contract. If not re-engaging to be subject to stamp duty, or to buy up industrial residence. Such amount to be paid to first employer. Magistrate may cancel contracts made in India. Immigrant not claimed within seven days may elect to be free from contract. In such case in- tended employer to pay half expense of introduction. Contract made in India may be transferred. R. 3-5. . .'; ºr: *.* Appèndix, N6.25. * * * Eigaged immigrant to be maintained at depôt. Governor authorised to allot immigrants not engaged in India. Immigrant allotted to be in Same posi- tion as if engaged. Governor in Ex- ecutive Council to make regulations. Ordinance No. 12 of 1855 repealed. Promulgation. * * , ; in a ºn riê is nã 4 .####... }ro ºf 346 PAPERS RELATING TO THE * - #: ***. it. <-- $33, -º 3 * * * > ..." t 's,. • , ***, *** - - - ...::::::: … . . . tºss 1 tº Mºr- * *** ** f * * , t , "t “ , t , ve Šºćh transfer hay be made eithér on the immigrant's arrivălin Matiitius, or at any time & tº lºſſ ** Tº", * *, ++4. $2.4 lºš. #13 ºk. --& ~ * * duriñg the curreñéyòf his 'éâgägeñient. 12. During the interval between the arrival at the depôt in Mauritius of any immigrant who shall have entered into a contract in India, and his entering the service of his original or substituted employer under the contraćt,'ot ºf affy employer to whom he may be äflotted, 'hé'shall be maintainéd º the Gövèrämient; and the expense of Süch hääintëtianice shall be ; * 7, r * ~ * is .: - “..-1.--&#: i , ~ :-º-hºº. --3 rºº. 11. * * tº a , a 4, tº ... ºf T.’; *: ; f recovéred fröm the intended 'eimployer under the contiáčt or those in his fight. 13. When any immigrant shall arrive at Mauritius without having contracted in India, as herein aſoresaid, it shall be lawful to the Governor, by such officer as may be entrusted with the duty, to allot such immigrant to any person applying for his services who may be selécted therefor, and who shall be able and willing, and shall oblige himself to pay and provide a fair rate of wages and allowaiices for such immigrant. f All such allotments shall be made in terms of regulations to be proclaimed from time to time under this Ordinance. 14. Every immigrant who shall thus be allotted to an employer, stiall be subject to the law existing in the Côlony at the time as to his industrial résidenée, and his allotinent to or engagement with such employer shall be subject to the stamp duty now payable on contracts with new immigrants introduced entirely at the expense of the Colonial Treasury, except when such allotment shall be made in excess of the number to which the employer would be entitled by regulation, 15. It shall be lawful to the Governor in Executive Council, from time to time, to make regulations for carrying out the purposes of this ‘Ordinance, and from time to time to alter the same; and all such regulations, on being published in the “Government Gazette,” shall have the same effect as if they had been contained verbatim herein, provided that they are not inconsistent with the spirit and meaning of any of the provisions hereof. 16. Ordinance No. 12 of 1855, intituled, “An Ordinance to chable persons to procure, at their own expense, Immigrants from India,” is hereby repealed, except in so far as it relates to any immigrants already introduced or who may be introduced or embarked under its provisions before the present Ordinance shall have been known at the agency in India whence they shall have been transmitted, and all powers and remedies thereunder in such respects. 17. This Ordinance shall take effect from the 23d day of October 1858. Passed in Council at Port Louis, island of Mauritius, this 20th day of September 1858. R. Y. Cummins, Secretary to the Council. PROCLAMATION. In the Name of Her Majesty Victor.IA, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, &c. &c. &c. W. Stevenson. By His Excellency William Stevenson, Esquire, Governor and Commander in Chief, in and over the Island of Mauritius and it dependêncies, &c. &c. &c. Wher EAs, by Ordinance No. 30 of 1858, entitled “An Ordinance to legalise contracts f service made in India, and to authorise Government to allot ‘newly arrived immigrants,’” the Governor in Executive Council is authorised from time to time, to make regulations for carrying out the purposes of the said Ordinance; and whereas it is necessary to make such regulations: In virtue, therefore, of the powers conferred by the aforesaid Ordinance, I do hereby, in Executive Council, order and proclaim as follows: REGULATIONS. 1. ENGAGEMENT OF IMMIGRANTS IN INDIA. 1. Every person desiring to engage immigrants in India, under, the provisions of the said Ordinance, shall deposit with the Protector of Immigrants, in Mauritius a requisition (as nearly as may be in the form (A) specifying the number of immigrants required by him, in what district in Mauritius, and for what kind of service or labour they shall be required, the Presidency of India from which he wishes them to be sent, and whether he is willing to give wages and allowances on the Government scale for the time being, or any other and what wages and allowances. #very such requisition shall be available for the period of 15 calendar months, to be cal- culated from its date. 2. Every WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 347 2. Every such requisition may at any time be withdrawn by the party who shall have made it, by written notice left with the Protector of Immigrants; and such withdrawal shall be intimated by the Protector to the Emigration Agent at the Presidency from which the immigrants shall be required. - But in such case the requisition shall remain in full effect, so far as regards any action that shall have taken place upon it before notice of such withdrawal was received by the # , • ? said Emigration Agent. * 3. The party making such requisition shall also give security to the Protector by bond, with one surety (as nearly as may be in the form (B.), for payment of the passage-money and other expenses of the immigrants to be engaged under his requisition. - The Protector may refuse to deliver any immigrant to his intended employer until the said payment shall have been made. ... • * * # & g . . -k, - e tº ºne e In these expenses no charge shall be máde on account of quarantine, if incurred on account of the said immigrants; but the same shall in all cases be borne by Government. 4. As soon as possible after the said requisition and bond shall have been deposited with the Protector of Immigrants, that officer shall transmit a certified copy of the requisition to the Emigration Agent for Mauritius at the Presidency from which the immigrants are required, with instructions to forward the object of the requisition with all convenient speed. * - The Protector shall at the same time transmit to such Emigration Agent the name and description of any special agent who may have been selected by the requisitionist, and whom the Protector shall not have rejected for that duty. 5. In all cases where a licensed special agent is not employed, the recruiting for immi- grants to be engaged in India shall be conducted only by recruiting agents employed and paid by the Government of Mauritius. 6. Special agents for employers in Mauritius may recruit immigrants for their principals, who shall have complied with the aforesaid requisites, provided that the following conditions be observed : 1st.—The names of every such agent, and of the person or persons for whom he is to recruit, shall be given at full length to the Protector of Immigrants, who shall transmit the same to the Emigration Agent, at the Presidency to which the agent is to be accredited, unless he knows of good reason to the contrary. - - 2d.--The Emigration Agent, on receipt of the communication, shall (unless he knows of good reason to the contrary) grant to the special agent a license, as nearly as may be in the Form (C.) to recruit for the said party; every such license being for a specified time, not exceeding one year from its date. 3d.—Every special agent shall be under the direction and control of the Emigration Agent at the Presidency for which he shall be licensed, who shall have full power to suspend and withdraw the license, in case of misconduct. ... } 4th-Every principal shall be responsible for the wrongs and breaches of regulations committed by his agent, in so far as that the Government may refuse to accept future nominations of agents by employers whose agents shall have more than once wilfully com- mitted any such wrongs or breaches. * - 7. When special agents have been employed and licensed, no recruiting by any Govern- ment recruiting agent, or any of his subordinates, shall be expected or relied on by the employers; but that portion of the service shall rest entirely with the licensed special agent and those employed by him, subject to the control of the Government Emigration Agent at the Presidency. 3. * 8. In case, however, the special agent shall die or withdraw from his agency, or in case a license shall be refused to such agent, the Emigration Agent may, and shall allow the Government recruiting agents to act in regard to the requisition of the principal of such agent, in the same way as if no special agent had been appointed. 9. When special agents are employed, the engagement of immigrants for agricultural labour may be either at the rate of wages and allowances in the Government scale for the time being, or at any other rate which shall be at least equivalent thereto; and which shall be set forth in the requisition. When special agents are not employed, the engagement of ordinary agricultural labourers shall be at the wages and allowances in the said Government scale. 10. Skilled labourers of any kind may be engaged upon any terms which shall be set forth in the requisition, and shall in no case be less than the minimum rate specified by the Government scale. * 11. Whether special agents shall be employed or not, the engagement shall in every case be upon the terms set forth in the requisition, without any deviation whatever; and if the requisition shall not be in accordance with the rules above specified, it will be rejected, and no engagement will be made in pursuance thereof. O. 13. Z Z 4 12. The Appendix, No. 25. s was e. wº, sº 348 PAPERS RELATING TO THE - Appendix, No. 25. 12. The Emigration Agent at each dependency shall, before any contract shall be com- * pleted, explain the same fully to the immigrant, with the aid (if necessary) of a duly qualified interpreter, and shall take all proper precautions to prevent the immigrant from being induced to contract by any fraud, falsehood, or unfair means or representations. 13. If the Emigration Agent shall be satisfied that the contract is fully understood by the immigrant, and, if not upon the Govgthment scale, that it is fair and reasonable, he shall, as soon as possible, have the same signed in his presence by the immigrant and b the special agent (if any) of the employer, with their names or marks, and he shall certif, the same by a docket signed by himself. w */ 14. If the special agent for the employer shall not be present at the time, the Emigra- tion Agent may sign the contract in his absence, and the contract shall, in that case, be equally valid and binding, as if signed also by the special agent; and no contract beating to be so signed, shall be challengeable on the ground that the special agent not subscribin; was present at the time. ... * 5 15. The contract and docket shall contain all the items, and shall be, as nearly as may be, in the terms of Form (D.) But no such contract shall be void or voidable on account of any informality, which does not affect it in substance. 16. The Emigration Agent shall, upon the first opportunity after the completion of each contract, despatch the immigrant engaged therein, to the Protector of Immigrants in Mauritius, along with the original of his contract; and he shall also, with every band of male immigrants so despatched, send the number of females required by regulations at the time. 17. The Emigration Agent shall also, whenever he may see occasion, transmit to the Protector certified copies, one or more, of any contract; and the same, if bearing to be certified by him as true copies, and to be subscribed by him, shall have the same effect in law as the original contracts to which they apply, subject only to proof that they are false or inaccurate. - 18. The arrival at Mauritius of any immigrant who shall have entered into a contract in India with an individual employer, shall, as soon as possible, be published by the Protector, by written or printed notice, as nearly as may be in the Form (E.) in conspicuous places in and outside of the immigration depôt. 19. The Protector of Immigrants, as soon as possible after the arrival at the depôt of any immigrants, and their contracts, shall cause the same respectively to be registered in the books of his office, after which he shall deliver a certified copy of each contract, to the employer under the same, or any one having his authority, along with the immigrants, one or more thereby engaged. - 20. The Protector shall transmit the original contract to the stipendiary magistrate of the district in which the service is to be performed, and the employer shall be entitled to retain the certified copy thereof; which, if bearing to be certified as a true copy, and to be signed by the Protector, shall have the same force and effect as an original, subject only to proof that it is false or inaccurate. 21. The Protector of Immigrants shall also deliver to each immigrant a ticket bearing his name, number, and marks, along with the name of his employer, the place where he is to be employed, and the date of registration of his contract. 22. Whenever the Protector of Immigrants shall have delivered any contract and ticket as above mentioned, both parties to the contract shall be entitled to enforce the same by all lawful procedure, in the same way as if it had been entered into in Mauritius, according to the law and practice existing there at the time. 23. When any immigrant shall (under Art. 9 and 10 of the aforesaid Ordinance) elect to be free from the obligations of his contract, in consequence of his intended employer not having claimed his services, such election shall be intimated to the Protector of Immigrants, and a note thereof (Form (F.) shall by him be indorsed upon the entry of the contract of such immigrant in the register of the depôt. - 24. Every transfer (under Art. 11 of the Ordinance) of a contract shall be in the * Form (G.). r * If made upon the immigrant's arrival in Mauritius, and before he shall have entered upon his service, it shall be made before and authenticated by the Protector of Immigrants, or other officer to be appointed by the Governor to the duty. If made during the currency of the engagement, it shall be made before and authenticated by the stipendiary magistrate of the district. Before any such transfer shall have been signed, its nature and effect shall be fully explained to the immigrant by the Protector or magistrate, as the case may be. 25. The Protector or magistrate shall have the power to express the approval and con- currence of the Government in the transfer, provided he shall be satisfied with the reasons assigned therefor. 26. In WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 349 26. In no case shall such approval or concurrence be expressed where there is reason to believe that the original engag ment with the immigrant was not made with the bond fide intention of his serving the employer therein. 27. Wherever the transaction shall appear to be a speculation or trafficking in the services of immigrants through the medium of a pretended employer, the approval or concurrence above mentioned shall be withheld. 28. Any employer who shall (under Art. 5 of the Ordinance) desire to release from con- tract an immigrant engaged to him in India shall either personally, or by one having his written authority, appear along with the immigrant before the stipendiary magistrate of the district, who shall thereupon explain to the immigrant the object and effect of the said release; and if the immigrant shall understand and agree to the same, he shall cause both parties to sign a memorandum of such release in his presence, authenticating it also by his signed doguet, all as in Form (H.) in the Schedule. The magistrate shall then deliver to the immigrant a certified copy of such memorandum, after which he shall transmit the original thereof to the Protector of Immigrants, by whom an entry of the same shall be made on the registry of the said immigrant in the books at the depôt. * II.-ALLOTMENT OF IMMIGRANTS NOT SPECIALLY ENGAGED IN INDIA. 29. The wages and allowances of all immigrants who shall not have engaged in India to individual employers, shall for their first period of service for three years or otherwise be upon the scale to be fixed by Government in the mode after described; and no alteration which may come into operation upon the said scale after the date of any allotment shall have any effect upon the wages and allowances of the immigrant allotted previously thereto. 30. When their first service shall have terminated by the said immigrants having served during its whole period, with any extension on account of unlicensed absences, they will be free to engage with any employer upon any terms that may be mutually agreed to. 31. But in case the first service of any allotted immigrant shall terminate prematurely, such immigrant shall be again allotted to another employer or employers, successively for the residue of his original allotment; provided that he shall receive the same wages and allow- ances as if he had continued in his first employment. 32. Every immigrant who shall not have been engaged in India to an individual employer shall, in presence of the Emigration Agent at the Presidency from which he shall be embarked, sign a contract, as nearly as may be in the form of Schedule (I.), which contract the said Agent shall transmit to Mauritius, along with the immigrant, and his name, number, and marks. 33. Every person intending to apply for an allotment of immigrants, one or more, shall lodge with the Protector a requisition containing the items of his proposed contract, in the Form (K.) of Schedule; which requisition may be withdrawn or altered any time before an allotment shall have been made and duly certified upon it. 34. The Protector of Immigrants, as soon as possible after the arrival of any immigrants not engaged in India to individual employers, shall register them and give them tickets, as by the practice at the date hereof. 35. When any such immigrant shall have been recruited for an individual employer, the Protector shall allot him to such employer, provided both parties consent to such allotment. He shall follow the same course in regard to any immigrant who shall express his preference for an individual employer. In both of these cases when the immigrants allotted are in excess of the proportion to which the employer would be entitled by regulations, the employer shall pay the expenses applicable to such immigrants in excess, in terms of Ordinance No. 22 of 1857. 36. But in the cases mentioned in the preceding articles, the Protector shall not give effect to any recruiting or selection which shall have been induced by improper agency or artifice in any place whatever. 37. Whenever it shall appear to the Protector that an immigrant has selected a particular employer in consequence of the intervention of any person habitually making a trade, busi- ness, or speculation, of interposing between employers and immigrants, the Protector shall not allot him to the employer so selected. 38. The Protector shall not recognise any recruiting for, or selection of any individual employer, unless the same shall have been intimated to the Protector, or a duly qualified officer of his department, either on board the vessel which shall have brought the immigrant, or upon the immigrant's giving his name to the Protector at the depôt on his arrival, and the Protector shall take the earliest opportunity of ascertaining whether any and which of the immigrants arriving in any vessel have been recruited for, or have selected their employers. 39. Upon any vessel arriving with immigrants not engaged in India to individual eumployers, the Protector shall, either on board the vessel, or as soon as possible after the landing of the immigrants, set aside all such as shall declare themselves to have been recruited O. I 3. 3 A for, Appendix, No. 25. 350 PAPERS RELATING TO THE Appendix, No. 25. *- for, or tº have selected individual employers, and to be ready to engage with them, and he shall without delay prepare, execute, and deliver their certificates of allotment as after mentioned. 40. Immigrants who shall not have specially engaged in India, and who shall not have declared that they had been recruited for, or have selected individual employers, shall be allotted to persons applying for them according to the proportions specified in the Govern- ment Gazette of 17th April 1858, or in any proclamation upon the subject to be made by the Governor in Executive Council. - 41 n reckoning the proportion of each employer, account shall be taken of immigrants allotted to him in consequence of recruiting or selection, but not of immigrants who shall have been engaged to him under contracts in India. 42. No allotment shall be made to any middleman coming within the description of Art. 87, or to any person trafficking in the services of immigrants. - 43. The immigratits arriving in each ship without previous recruiting or selection, shall be regarded as one group, and shall be distributed among the parties entitled to them in one or more districts; the several districts being for this purpose arranged in alphabetical order, and following each other in regular rotation. º 4 44. When any such group shall not suffice to give one-fourth part of their quota to the requisitionists in any district, they shall be distributed proportionally among those requisi- tionists in alphabetical order who shall be entitled together to four times the number for distribution ; and the remaining requisitionists in such district shall not be entitled to their allotments until one group shall have been distributed in like manner among the requisition- ists in the other districts. - - - 45. After all the districts shall have been gone over, distribution shall again be made in the same rotation, those employers in each district among whom no distribution has been made being supplied first, and afterwards those who shall only have received part of their quota. - - - 46. After all employers throughout the colony shall have received their full quotas, allot- ments shall be made to those who may be willing to pay (in terms of Ordinance No. 22 of 1857) for the passage-money and other expenses of additional immigrants so to be allotted, and in such allotment each group of immigrants shall be distributed in the order and pro- portions above specified. - - - 47. The Protector shall arrange the immigrants so as to carry out the above mode of allotment with as little disturbance as possible to their association among themselves in bands; be shall also have, and shall exercise a discretionary power to deviate from the strict order above specified whenever such deviation may be necessary to prevent immigrants who are connected by family ties from being allotted against their will to different employers. 48. Every allotment shall be made by written certificate in the terms, and executed as in the Form (L.) hereunto annexed, which certificate shall be appended to the requisition above mentioned. 49. Upon being so executed, and being delivered by the Protector to the intended employer or his authorised agent, it shall operate as a binding obligation on the parties to enter into a formal contract of service in the terms mentioned in the tequisition. 50. The Protector, at the time with delivering to the employer or his agent the certificate of allotment, shall also deliver the whole immigrants thereby allotted. 51. Every such certificate shall be full authority to the stipendiary magistrave having jurisdiction in the premises, to make out and execute a formal written contract of service in terms of the requisition and certificate ; and in so doing he shall not inquire whether the immigrant and employer consents to such contract; nor shall it be necessary for these parties to attend before the magistrate for the purpose of executing the same. 52. The service shall be held to have commenced at the date of the certificate of allotment. . !II.—GENERAL REGULATIONS. 53. The Protector of Immigrants shall, as soon as possible after the passing of these Regulations, procure and furnish to the Governor for transmission to the Government Emi- gration Agents in India a full and accurate statement as to the average rates of wages and allowances for different kinds of agricultural labourers, tradesmen, artisans and domestic servants in the Colony, distinguishing the rates applicable :-1st. To newly-arrived immi- grants; 2d. To immigrants who have been three years in the Colony; and, 3d, To old immigrants. - 54. From these materials there shall be fixed, under authority of the Governor, the rate of wages and allowances of ordinary agricultural labourers to be allotted during the ensuing year, and of those to be engaged without the intervention of special agents. - - There WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 35 l There shall also be prepared a scale of the minimum and maximum rates of wages and allowances of tradesmen, artisans, and household servants current at the time. The said scales may be graduated so as to increase year by year throughout the first period of service. - The scales so prepared shall, as soon as possible, be published in the “Government Gazette.” 55. Similar scales shall be made not later than the month of August in each succeeding year, from which a similar scale of wages and allowances shall, in like manner, be prepared and published. 56. The scales specified in the preceding Articles shall, upon the earliest opportunity, be transmitted to the Emigration Agents at the several Presidencies, in order to be posted up in conspicuous places in or near their depôts, in the several dialects commonly understood in the Presidencies respectively. - - º They shall also be posted up in and near the depôt in Mauritius in the different dialects commonly known in the Colony. 57. All communication, directly or indirectly, by or on behalf of any intended employer, with newly-arrived immigrants, previous to their arrival at the immigration depôt is strictly prohibited. 58. Whenever it shall be proved, to the satisfaction of the Protector, that such communi- cation has taken place, he may refuse to allot any immigrant to the employer for whom such immigrant shall have been induced to declare a preference in consequence of such communi- cation. 59. The Protector shall also have full power to exclude from the depôt every person who he shall have reason to believe shall have come there for the purpose, or with the intention of inducing immigrants to engage with an employer for whom they shall not have been recruited in India, or whom they shall not have selected before arrival at the depôt. 60. All contracts and other documents mentioned in the Schedule shall, as far as possible, be upon printed forms to be furnished by a duly authorised officer of Government; and when such forms can be obtained none other shall be used for the purpose. 61. Whenever any document requiring to have any official signature of any magistrate or public officer under these Regulations, shall bear ea facie to have such signature, it shall be received in all courts of justice as genuine, without such signature requiring to be proved; and it shall continue to be so received until the said signature shall have been proved to be a forgery. 62. The present Regulations shall take effect from the 13th day of November 1858. Given in Executive Council at Government House, this 12th day of November 1858. P. Y. Cummins, Secretary to the Council. By command, Humphry Sandwith, Colonial Secretary. S C H E D U L E. ForM (A.) Ordinary Agricultural Labourers. I [name and designation] request the Protector of Immigrants to take the steps required by law and regulations for obtaining for me from the Presidency of the number of immigrants for agricultural purposes to be employed in the district of º I undertake to pay to each immigrant who shall engage with me in virtue of this requisition the wages and allowances upon the Government scale at the time of engagement [or] the wages and allowances following, viz.: [as the case may be]. Proper lodging and medical care to be also furnished by me to each of the said immi- grantS. 8-> - [If a special agent is to be employed the following will be added.] I name my special agent and recruiter of immigrants in India. - A. B. [Applicant's signature.] The above requisition lodged with me this day of 185 G. H., Protector of Immigrants, Mauritius. Artisans and other Skilled Labourers. I,[name and designation] request the Protector of Immigrants to take the steps required by law and regulations for obtaining for me from the Presidency of , to be O. 13. 3 B - employed Appendix, No. 25. \ * , ‘. . - !..." t Appendix; No. 25. * * º †: 4, s: • ‘ * ~ * : 2. PE - . s f * & 3- | * } | . % i # 4 & t ! s r: 3. . x - *.** 2. ~. 352 & . . ~ *. . , * ~, A $ 2. $ |S tº | P: “tº lº ''{{IN - * * * § 3. : . . .x . * - - * . .” • . * s - *. .* * . . . • A . A ... ." - F - *. - . - employed in the district of . . .'; the number of immigrants, for the employments and at the monthly rate of wages and allowances following, viz.: . . . . [Mumber] carpenters at the wages of [lowest rate offered] to [highest rate offered]. #. masons - - - of - [ditto] - to - [ditto..] " Ditto] grooms - - - of : - . [ditto] - to - #. [and so on with regard to other skilled labourers required.] [If only one rate is offered, the same to be stated.] Allowances [if any, to be specified at length]. ” - Proper lodging and medical treatment to be also furnished by me to each of the said Immigrants. * 4. * * I undertake to pay and provide to each immigrant who shall engage to me in virtue of this requisition the wages which shall be agreed on in India with him at the rates (or within the limits) above-mentioned, and also the allowances above stated. [If a special agent is to be employed, the following will be added:] I name my special agent and recruiter of immigrants in India. * A. B., [Applicant's signature]. The above requisition lodged with me this day of 185 -- G. H., * Protector of Immigrants, Mauritius. ForM (B.) A. B., of , and C. D., of , jointly and severally promise and bind themselves towards the Protector of Immigrants on behalf of the Government of Mauritius, as follows: sº. The said A. B. having this day made requisition under the provisions of Ordinance No. 30 of 1858 for Indian immigrants, hereby undertakes to accept that number or any lesser number that may be introduced pursuant to his requisition; the said A. B. and C. D. bind themselves jointly and severally to pay all expenses attendant upon the introduction of such immigrants, and of the proportion of females by regulation required to accompany them, including in such expenses of introduction the cost of maintenance of such immigrants at the rate of 6 d. per diem for each immigrant, from the date of landing until the date of leaving the depôt to enter on the service of the said A. B. The said A. B. and C. D. promise to pay to the Protector of Immigrants all such expenses of introduction, upon the said immigrants being handed over to the said A. B., engaged to him under a binding con- tract to be made with them in India, such payment to be exigible previous to their leaving the depôt. - In default of the said. A. B. claiming and engaging such immigrants within seven clear days after they shall have been landed at the depôt, the said A. B. and C. D. bind them- selves to pay to the Protector of Immigrants 7 s. for each immigrant, as his cost of main- tenance during the interval between his arrival at the depôt and his entering on service; and in case of such default and of any of the said immigrants electing to be free from their engagement, the said A. B. and C. D. do further bind themselves, as aforesaid, to pay to the Protector one-half of the expense of introducing the immigrants so electing, and of the proportion of females accompanying them. The said A. B. and C. D. hereby consent that the certificate of the Protector of Immi- grants shall be conclusive evidence against them in all courts and places of the amount chargeable against them in respect of the said expenses of introduction, or of the costs of their maintenance, as the case may be. [To be written by each of the } Approved A. B. obligants in his own name.] ſ Approved C. D. [If they or either of them cannot write, they or he shall sign by mark in presence of one witness subscribing.] - - The above bond signed in my presence and deposited with me this - day of 185 T. H., Protector of Immigrants, Form (C.) This is to certify that [name of special agent] is hereby licensed to recruit emigrant labourers for [employer's name and designation], in Mauritius, in conformity with the Regu- lations published and to be published from time to time regarding such recruiting. This licence is granted from the to the inclusive, and upon the express understanding and condition that the said agent is to be under the direction and control of myself and my successors in office in all matters relating to such recruiting, and that we shall have full power to suspend or withdraw this licence, if he shall not conduct himself in the premises to our satisfaction. - * . A. B., Emigration Agent at (Date). * for Government of Mauritius. WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. 353 ForM (D.) º We, the undersigned immigrants from . to Mauritius, hereby 3 engage to serve [employer's name and addition] as . on the estate • Å of in the district or [or otherwise, as the case £ 50 may be] for full period of years from the date of registration of this S 3 contract in Mauritius with double the time of any unlicensed absences, in e 3 consideration of receiving the wages and allowances following, viz. (TR C-4- - - QC 2 [Here follow the wages and allowances.] S-4- O - w e 5 3. § Proper lodging and medical care to be also provided to us. - ăs: É And we further engage at the expiry of this contract to enter into new con- tracts of service, one or more either with the above-named or with other persons .3 to be agreed upon hereafter, until we shall have completed the full period of 3 ºn five years' industrial residence in Mauritius, with double the time of any un- gº licensed absences. = g [Here follow the signatures and marks of the Immigrants and of employer's ~ := agent, if present at the time.] cº 2– o º -> º e Tº à The above contract was explained in my presence to the said immigrants, 35 > and signed before me by them with their names or marks, and by .# = authorised agent of the said - at this § 2. day of 185 ſº a A. B., Emigration Agent at for Government of Mauritius. [List of names and numbers of Immigrants to the above contract.] ForM (E.) Notice of Arrival of Immigrants specially engaged in India. Immigrants arrived engaged in India upon requisition by the following persons; viz. [List of names and designations of parties to whom engaged.] T. H., Protector of Immigrants. Immigration Depôt, Mauritius, day of 185 For M (F.) The within named immigrant has elected to be free from his contract, not having been claimed within seven days after arrival at the depôt. (Date.) T. H., Protector of Immigrants. ForM (G.) We [name and designation of intended employer, and names and numbers of immigrants engaged] being respectively the intended master and servants under a contract of service made before the Government Emigration Agent at on the day of do hereby agree that the whole rights and obligations of the said first party under the said contract shall be, and the same are hereby transferred, as at the date hereof, to [name and designation] under the provisions of Ordinance No. 30 of 1858; who hereby agrees to accept the said transfer and the contract hereby transferred, with all its rights and obligations. X. I. § [Signatures or marks of all the parties.] The above transfer signed by all the parties thereto, its nature and effect having been first fully explained to the immigrants above named all in my presence. The said transfer also approved and concurred in by me as on behalf of the Government. - At this day of I 85 T. H. Protector of Immigrants. [or] Stipendiary Magistrate for the District of O. l 3 Appendix, No. 25. -*-* Appendix, No. 25. *g 354 PAPERS:—WEST INDIA COLONIES AND MAURITIUS. * ForM (H.) Memorandum of Release from Contract of Service. ... We [name and designation of employer and name and number of immigrant] being respec- tively the employer and the servant under a contract of service made at India, and dated the e day of do hereby consent that the said second party shall from this day and henceforth be released from the said contract and all obligations under the same. *}Y] [Signatures or marks of parties.] The nature and effect of the above release explained by me to the said immigrant who, having expressed his full consent hereto, both parties signed the same in my presence this day of 185 M. W. Stipendiary Magistrate for the District of * ForM (I.) th We, the undermentioned immigrants from to Mauritius, hereby ... 3 # engage to serve the employers to whom we may be respectively allotted by the & T sº § Mauritius Government for the period of years after the date of regis- # * : tration of this contract in Mauritius, with double the time of any unlicensed a Ç) ă absences: And we further engage, after the expiry of such service, to enter into .33 ± contracts of service one or more with other persons to be agreed upon hereafter, # 2, 3 until we shall have completed the full period of five years industrial residence in .# 3 Mauritius, with double the time of any unlicensed absences. Q - É # [Here follow the signatures and marks of the Immigrants.] 8– 3 a P- The above contract was explained to the said immigrants in my presence, T. 5 and signed by them, with their names or marks before me, and also signed by 3 tº me, on behalf of the Government of Mauritius, at this day .# = of T85 r 39; º - A. B. p3 = 5. Emigration Agent at for > 3 Mauritius Government. [List of names and numbers of Immigrants to the above contract.] ForM (K.) I [name and designation] request the Protector of Immigrants to allot to me under Ordinance No. 30 of 1858, and relative regulations, for contract of service for years, the number of newly arrived immigrants for the employments following, viz.:- [Number required, and for what kinds of employment to be specified.] I undertake to give to any immigrants who may be allotted to me under this requisition. wages and allowances according to the Government scale existing at the time of allotment. Proper lodging and medical care to be also furnished by me to the said immigrants. - L. M. [Signature of Requisitionist.] (lf he cannot write he will sign his mark before one subscribing witness.) Lodged with me thi day of 185 I. H. Protector of Immigrants. ForM (L.) I hereby certify that I have this day allotted to the said requisitionist the immigrants following, for the employments and periods of service, and on the conditions above specified respectively. (Date.) T. H. - - Protector of Immigrants. List of Immigrants allotted. º % s: * & .2-à . *: § sº *, *g. ----------- ...º. §: … ºº:: ** - 4 8:a: ſº .*.*.* ãº. §- ; : †† º, & *...*** ommons, to i